KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS

it to me?" I asked, my voice sharp as a blade as I brushed off yet

week," he said, as if it were a feat worthy of applause. "With the challeng

ted under my scrutiny, but Ajax, the younger brother, maintained a stoic fac

word, every gesture. It was almost

mused aloud, glancing at Iason, who leaned casually agai

h half a brain consumes anything they didn't prepar

o keep his mouth shut and not lie to me. You, on the other hand..."

dronikos" Callan stammered, his brav

venomous. "And if you ever utter my name again, I'll per

ed as he swallowed ha

to the exit, as though you're mapping your escape. Or the incessant dabbing at your sweaty neck and forehead. Or

re he could give a stupid response, Ajax squee

d shattered. "You have two days to deliver my shipment. Fail, and

Callan out of the loun

rom the entrance, sauntering in with the con

re had he

. Her caramel-toned skin gleamed under the low lights, and her figure was accentuated by a black dress that clung to her like sin itself. The heels, deadly i

see wrapped around my...

ex, annoyed at myself for su

" I asked, my voic

s cousin?" he replied

club," I

him, I felt a surprisingly comf

eard her whisper under her

her off my lap without warning, causing her to

est moment

could incinerate steel. And I-God help me-loved it.

d to help her up, but kindn

nleash her wrath, the air shifted. The atmosphere shi

shouted, but i

music downstairs. Chaos erupted as screams mingled with the shattering of glass. A bullet c

ing instinctively

ttack!" one of

it, g

l those brothers afte

rantic attempt to escape the impending carnage, I and the remaining survivors crawled toward safety, adrenaline coursing through o

n i

e. Still alive. Without hesitation, I hoisted her o

ing frantic shadows against the walls,

returned fire with calculated precis

ly. Finally escaping the ruins of my once-thriving club, I noticed the pol

I ordered, dumping the woma

authorities. I climbed into the driver's se

, she was causing me a h

her presence felt like the prelud

officially