“What are you staring at?” Whitney asked as I leaned against the refrigerator, sipping on a bourbon. She remained sitting on the edge of the island, kicking her long legs as she nibbled on one of the bruised apples. I could watch her for hours, my gaze lingering on the trickle of juice dripping past her luscious lips.

  “A woman who has no clue how important she’s become.” It was a true statement, perhaps the most honest I’d been with her since our arranged meeting.

  “For information?”

  Chuckling, I took another swig before answering. “For everything.”

  Her eyes lit up, the compliment creating an interesting reaction, crimson blooming on her cheeks. “You have everything that anyone could ever want.”

  “My rebellious woman. Everything but someone special.”

  “Come on. You’ve had plenty of women in your life. Don’t lie to me.”

  “Some,” I told her as I moved closer, shifting between her legs. “Only one who mattered.”

  “Tell me something juicy. I won’t share it with anyone.” She laughed and it was as if the sun was suddenly shining in the room.

  “She was someone I cared for. Then it was over.”

  Scrunching her eyes, she shook her head. “No, you don’t. That’s no fair. If she was important to you then she was a magnificent woman. Right?”

  Nodding, I glanced away, the memory one I’d done everything to avoid. “She was.” I polished off my drink, putting the glass in the sink.

  “Maybe one day you’ll trust me enough to tell me what happened.”

  “It’s not about trust, Whitney. It’s about avoidance, something I’ve become very good at. But not tonight. I have a job to do.”

  “A job?”

  “Yes.” I returned my gaze, studying her reaction.

  I could tell the moment when she realized what I was talking about, the stunning light vacating her eyes. “Oh. About me?”

  “About the people who tried to kill us.”

  “You think there’s a chance I was the target?” She hid behind the apple as she studied me, taking small bites.

  “I do.” I pulled the fruit away, dragging my tongue around her lips. “And they will pay for what they did.”

  “How long will you be gone?”

  “Possibly hours. Don’t wait up.” When I started to back away, she grabbed my arm. The searing electricity we shared bolted to life, the current disrupting my thinking, my anger.

  “Don’t die on me.”

  I had to laugh. While I sensed how disturbed she was, questions popping in her mind, she knew me well enough not to ask.

  Yet.

  That would come.

  “I have no plans on it.” I kissed her forehead then backed away, grabbing my jacket. “Men will protect you. If anything should happen, they know what to do.” I pulled out a burner phone as well as a credit card. I wouldn’t allow her to be held hostage if something tragic should happen. As I handed them to her, the fear I’d seen far too many times returned in her eyes.

  “What are these for?”

  “Just in case. My number is programmed. If you’re threatened, call me.”

  “Otherwise, leave you alone.”

  “Yes.” I noticed disappointment in her eyes, which forced my cock to twitch. “I don’t I think I need to tell you this, but do not call anyone else. Not a friend. Not a co-worker. You’ll risk not only your life but my family’s as well.”

  “I won’t call anybody. I promise.”

  I rubbed my finger down her cheek. “I believe you.”

  “Don’t. I…” She wrinkled her brow, tossing the apple into the sink then sliding off the counter. “I don’t know what this is between us, Phoenix. I’ve tried to figure it out, the push-pull we have, but I know one thing. I don’t want to do this without you.”

  “You won’t need to. I promise everything will be alright.”

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

  “I don’t intend to.” As I headed for the door, the warmth I’d felt just by being near her faded almost instantly. I wasn’t the kind of man who deserved second chances, but I was determined to make good on my promise.

  Yeah, maybe I was falling in love with her, damning her to a life she’d never wanted.

  But she was mine.

  Mine.

  All mine.

  Jonas was waiting outside with several men, Nico included. He was beaming from being chosen, which no longer surprised me. He’d finally learned that by being born into a kingdom of wrath, there were few choices that could be made.

  “This should be interesting,” my brother said casually.

  Interesting wasn’t the word, defining was. “You’ll be in the SUV with me. Jonas will lead us to our destination.” I glanced at my lieutenant, giving him a nod. The attack would be dicey, a calculated risk, but a necessary one to ensure Zakaryan understood any further attacks would not be tolerated.

  “Is there a cleanup crew on standby?” I asked as I opened the rear passenger door.

  “Two in case. They’re already in position.”

  “We’ll need to move as efficiently as possible. And remember, no innocent casualties. Do whatever it takes to preclude that from happening.”

  “What if a mistake is made?” Nico piped in.

  “I’ll deal with it.” My father had made certain high-ranking leaders within the police department were under his thumb years before. The situation could get messy but could also be kept out of the press. Zakaryan also wouldn’t want any notoriety that his world had gone under attack, his reputation already taking a significant hit. The loss of credibility after our success should bring out the vultures skimming for crumbs. He’d have enough to deal with for an extended timeframe to bother attempting any retaliation.

  Or so I hoped.

  As everything positioned themselves in the vehicles, I pulled out a fresh magazine, slapping it into my weapon. I hoped to be in and out in fifteen minutes, but I also knew best laid plans were often a challenge.

  However, I had someone I needed to get back home to. The thought was as riveting as it was terrifying.

  But Whitney was the reason I wanted to live.

  The drive was in silence, the restaurant on the far end of town. I sensed Nico’s nervousness, but also a level of determination I hadn’t experienced from him over the years. The kid who’d wanted to be a musician, then a movie star. Anything but accepting his place in the Diamondis ranks. He’d make a fine attorney, an even better consigliere.

  Tonight would be a test, one we both needed.

  “Five minutes,” Jonas said after a few minutes.

  “Jonas, take a team and go through the back. Nico, you and I will take another team in through the front. There are no other entrances.”

  While only some of Zakaryan’s men were known, very few photographs taken, everything I had on them had been distributed to the soldiers before their arrival. They were easy to spot given the ink of loyalty on their hands. The night should prove interesting.

  The SUVs were parked across the street and away from any windows in the restaurant. The place was crowded for a Wednesday night, which could make for additional complications. I gritted my teeth as I climbed out, scanning the street for police cars or Armenian soldiers taking a smoke. We advanced quickly, the darkness as well as the required military training kicking in. My soldiers knew exactly what to do. They were the best in the business.

  I waited until Jonas had time to take the group of men around back before entering. No one paid any attention as we dispersed inside, moving to both sides to the restaurant. Then my eyes caught those of a hostess, fear immediately shooting through her. I nodded to the back and there was no hesitation. She scrambled away, accidentally knocking over a tray of dishes.

  What surprised me was there weren’t nearly as many people inside as the cars had led me to believe.

  However, there were at least fifteen soldiers, more than I’d anticipated.

  Fuck.

  That’s when all hell broke loose.

  Armenian soldiers jerked to their feet, immediately reaching for their weapons. Our moment of surprise wasn’t exactly as I’d anticipated. Something told me they’d been warned, prepared for a battle given the number of soldiers inside and the lack of genuine customers. As four men rushed toward me, their weapons raised, I was forced to react quickly.

  I fired off several shots, two dropping to the floor immediately. Screams broke out in the building, people scrambling to get to safety. Chaos ensued, tables knocked over, gunfire popping from every location in the restaurant.

  One of my men was shot, tumbling onto the floor in front of me. Anger popped into every cell, a rage that could become uncontrollable. A pinging sound was close, the bullet barely missing me. They were out for blood.

  My blood.

  I moved stealthily through the crowd, pushing some out of the way to get a clean shot. When a soldier jumped in my face, ready to pull the trigger, I slammed my weapon against the side of his head, toppling him to the floor. There was no time to second guess decisions. I fired off two shots in rapid succession, killing him instantly.

  The hard thuds and shouts continued as I moved deeper into the heart of the location. Everything seemed to be in slow motion, Armenian soldiers coming from every direction, but within minutes, the roar of terror began to fade, an ugly silence sweeping through the location.

  I took a deep breath, turning in a complete circle, nodding to Jonas who stood over his recent kill.

  Where the hell had Nico gone?

  I’d been trained by the best, every action taken methodical. As I moved to the back, I noticed my brother standing over an enemy who was still alive, pleading for his life.

  “Do it,” I commanded.

  My brother made the mistake of turning his head in my direction, the Armenian sensing his single opportunity. I rushed forward, leveling several shots into the man.

  Nico jerked back, hitting the wall, his gun lowered and his eyes wide open.

  “We’re leaving.” I swung around, looking for Jonas. He and two men were engaged in another battle, at least five Armenian soldiers surrounding them. I fired off another shot, managing to catch one in the shoulder.

  Jonas threw me a look, one I understood far too well.

  They’d been prepared for our attack.

  Blood pumped through my veins, the adrenaline flowing. I shoved another enemy against the wall, reacting before he had a chance to take a shot. Then I turned my attention back to my brother.

  As he lifted his head, blinking several times, disappointment rode his face. He had no stomach for murder. I turned toward the front, moving my head from side to side, the silence foreboding. The only noise was the wails and harsh sobs from those left alive.

  Then I heard a crack, my instinct kicking in. As I spun around, Nico had jumped in front of me, lifting his weapon toward an enemy soldier. Without hesitation, he took a shot, saving my life.

  But not before the bastard got off one of his own.

  I lunged forward, popping two in the enemy’s head, spinning around and catching Nico before he fell. “Fuck. Fuck!”

  He’d been shot in the chest, his face contorting from the pain.

  “I… tried,” he gritted out.

  “Yeah, bro, you did. Just hang on. You’ve going to be just fine.”

  As I stared at the carnage, blood spilled on almost every surface, I realized that no one could provide me with salvation.

  Including the woman I’d fallen in love with.

  “You fucking bastard!” Stavros didn’t mince words as he lunged toward me, issuing a brutal punch to my jaw.

  I reared back, taking the blow then glaring at him. “While I understand your concern, he was the better man for the job.”

  My brother snarled, acting as if he would repeat the act. I shored my shoulders, giving him a warning look. One punch was allowed. A second wouldn’t be acceptable.

  “You have no fucking clue what you’re doing.”

  “Lower your voices,” Pops demanded. “This is a hospital.”

  Mother rushed forward, wrapping her arms around me. “How is he?”

  I noticed Elena and Alexandra walking together, both with pained looks on their faces. They’d experienced this same situation twice before, our father almost losing his life. However, I could tell this one hit them hard, the statement of who and what we were difficult to swallow.

  I’d staved off the police, including with the hospital administrators, but there could be repercussions, a statement necessary to an officer of the law. At least for now, I had it under control.

  But I couldn’t avoid the nagging feeling that I’d been set up. Still, I refused to believe Jonas had anything to do with it.

  “Nico is in surgery. The wound wasn’t life threatening.” I heard the lack of emotion in my voice, but the guilt was just under the surface. Nico had saved my life, but he hadn’t been ready for the frontline. I’d known better, my arrogance in my anger with Stavros guiding my decision.

  “Thank God,” Elena said, tears brimming in her eyes.

  Mama pulled away, her hands shaking. “We can’t lose him.”

  “We won’t.”

  “What about you?” Alexandra asked as she walked closer, her gaze falling to my bloody shirt.

  “He saved my life.”

  My father lifted his head, a moment of pride filtering into his eyes. “I taught all of you well. We protect our own against every odd, every enemy. Never forget that. Disagreements can occur, and anger is allowed, but in this family, there will be acceptance.” He shifted his gaze from me to Stavros. On this night, the horror of possibly losing a son had him clearheaded, his love obvious in his words and the emotion covering his aging face.

  And at that moment, for the first time in my life, I was ashamed.

  I backed against the wall, shoving my hands into my pockets. Nico had lost a lot of blood but had remained conscious during the ride to the hospital. I’d seen a look of pride in him as well the moment he’d saved my life, as if proving himself to me.

  The kid had a lot to learn, but I would be his mentor.

  Or I’d wish him well on whatever endeavor he chose. He deserved to live the life he desired.

  And so did I.

  As Stavros continued to pace the corridor, grumbling under his breath, my sisters flanked my side. Even though they’d always been shut out of the harshest part of our business, they knew exactly what I was going through.

  “Tell me about Whitney,” Alexandra prompted. I was surprised she had any interest. Elena bristled and looked away, but she’d soon learn that Whitney was just as formidable.

  “She’s completely different than anyone I’ve ever met. Feisty, hardheaded. She refuses to follow my rules, even if it means putting herself in danger. She’s intelligent and witty, and she has a light surrounding her that no darkness can shadow, including my own.”

  “You’re in love with her,” Elena said matter-of-factly, throwing me a confused look.

  “She’s perfect for you. Someone who can keep you on your toes,” Alexandra said, half laughing as she squeezed my arm. She was another dreamer, a girl hoping to find her Prince Charming in a sea of monsters and toads.

  “Against everything that I’ve ever learned, I am.” The admittance wasn’t as difficult as I’d assumed it would be. A slight smile crossed my face, the need to see her, touch her, be with her stronger than before.

  “It’s time for you to be happy, son. I’m proud of you for letting go of the demons.” My mother seemed genuinely happy, her smile a clear indication.

  Meanwhile, my father had narrowed his eyes, studying me as if I was the same kid standing in his office. I’d made a declaration that I was ready to be his righthand man. Instead of laughing or pushing me away, he sat me down in front of the fireplace, explaining that once I committed to being a part of the regime, there was no turning back. He’d told me later that he’d been worried I’d lose my childhood too soon, becoming so hardened that I’d never enjoy my life.

  He’d been right.

  As usual.

  He took purposeful steps closer, nodding several times. “Then you should get married.”

  I had to smile amidst the near tragedy. “You think so, huh?”

  “Yes. I need a grandchild and you need an heir.”

  It was as if he’d decided, the choice no longer mine. How many times before would I have argued with him, telling him in no uncertain terms that it was my life, and he had no right to try to tell me what to do?

  I didn’t have enough fingers.

  But everything about tonight was different; his proclamation giving his approval had meant more to me than I’d realized. I closed my eyes, envisioning Whitney’s face, her tempting lips and voluptuous body.

  She meant everything to me. I wasn’t going to lose her.

  Under any circumstances.

  “I’ll take that under advisement, Pops,” I told him.

  He patted me on the arm. “You’re a good boy. Maybe two grandchildren. A boy and a girl.”

  “That would be fabulous,” Mama added.

  Elena rolled her eyes. “Well, I guess that takes the heat off me. Although I do have my eye on a man, a very special man.” While she didn’t mention Jonas, I could tell by the way she was looking at me that she wanted my approval.

  “Enjoy your life, Elena. It’s far too short.”

  I could tell she hadn’t expected me to agree. In an unexpected move, she closed the distance, kissing me on the cheek. “Nico will be fine. He’s just like you. Resilient, committed, and so strong. I love you, brother.”

  As she backed away, she pulled out her phone, immediately texting. And I knew who she was contacting.

  “Did we lose anyone else?” Pops asked.

  “Two.” I hated to admit it.

  “Who?”

  “Camden and Alex.”

  “Shit,” Stavros said from the side. “Their deaths are on your head.”

  “Every soldier knows what can happen, Stavros, including you,” Pops snapped. “It’s a calculated risk to protect what belongs to us.”

  Calculated risk. Maybe so but the two deaths hit me harder than usual.