Mia felt a rush of power as she left the lounge, Lucas's hand gripping her waist possessively. The city lights blurred around them, but the fire burning in her veins was crystal clear she wasn't afraid anymore.
But as they slid into Lucas's car, her phone buzzed again. Another anonymous message.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Mia. You know how this ends."
Lucas glanced over, his jaw tightening. "He's not giving up."
"Neither am I," she shot back, but beneath the bravado, a flicker of unease crept through her.
When they arrived at Lucas's penthouse, the tension between them snapped. He pushed her against the door the second it shut, his mouth claiming hers with raw, unrestrained hunger.
"You're mine," he growled against her lips, lifting her onto the sleek marble counter. His hands slid up her thighs, pushing her dress higher. "And no one not Victor, not anyone can take you from me."
Her head fell back as his mouth traveled down her neck, leaving heated kisses in his wake. "Show me," she dared, her fingers curling in his hair.
He did.
Hard.
Fast.
Unapologetically rough.
The way his body claimed hers left no room for doubt she belonged to herself now, and no one else.
But just as the pleasure faded into breathless silence, Lucas's phone lit up on the counter. A single word flashed across the screen:
"Checkmate."
Mia's stomach twisted. "What the hell does that mean?"
Lucas snatched the phone, his expression turning cold. "It's from Victor."
Seconds later, her own phone vibrated. A video link. Her heart pounded as she clicked it open and the blood drained from her face.
The screen showed footage of her brother, Ethan bound to a chair, a bruise forming along his jaw. Victor's voice rang out, low and deadly.
"You should've stayed in line, Mia. Now? You're going to learn what happens when you cross me."
Tears burned her eyes, but fury cut through the panic. "He took my brother," she whispered, shaking with rage.
Lucas's grip on her tightened. "We'll get him back," he promised. "And when we do? Victor won't walk away from this."
Mia's fear hardened into resolve. Victor had crossed the line.
And now, she wasn't just playing defense she was coming for him.