Emilia's POV
By the time Emilia changed into her pajamas, her head was still buzzing. She brushed her long hair with sharp, frustrated strokes, as though the rhythm could untangle her thoughts.
Adrian Volkov.
Her insufferable boss.
Her arrogant, womanizing, smirking devil of a boss.
And yet… when his eyes had snapped toward hers in the car, there had been something else there. Something dark, dangerous—and magnetic.
"Okay, spill," Lily said from the bed, hugging a pillow. Her messy bun was sliding out, and she had that mischievous grin that meant she wouldn't let Emilia sleep without answers.
"There's nothing to spill," Emilia said quickly, tossing the brush onto her nightstand.
Lily arched a brow. "Mhm. You're pink in the cheeks, biting your lip like you've been caught sneaking cookies. Did the wicked boss say something to you?"
Emilia groaned and fell face-first onto the pillow. "He's… impossible."
"That's not an answer."
"I don't like him, Lily. He's arrogant, rude, a total playboy. And he thinks he's so untouchable just because he's rich."
"But?" Lily pressed.
Emilia lifted her head just enough to glare. "There is no but."
Her best friend only smirked. "The more you deny it, the more obvious it is. You're curious about him."
Emilia rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling. She hated to admit it, but Lily was right. Something about Adrian tugged at her, even when she wanted nothing more than to push him away.
But curiosity was dangerous. She'd only been at the job for a week, and already she was spiraling into something that felt too big for her.
"I don't want trouble," Emilia whispered softly.
Lily's expression softened. "Then don't look for it. But don't be scared either. You're stronger than you think."
Emilia nodded, though her chest still ached.
Adrian's POV
Adrian paced his brother's office, a tumbler of whiskey in his hand. The amber liquid swirled, untouched.
"They're testing us," Matteo said, leaning against the desk. "The Russians wouldn't tail you unless they wanted you to notice."
Adrian's jaw tightened. "Then let's make sure they regret it."
"Reckless doesn't suit you, fratello."
Adrian shot him a glare. "What suits me is keeping control. If we show weakness, if we let them think they can sniff around, everything we've built burns."
Silence stretched. The only sound was the faint ticking of the clock.
Finally, Matteo spoke. "Who was the girl in your car?"
Adrian's hand froze mid-sip. "No one."
Matteo's lips twitched. "No one who made you lose focus, apparently."
Adrian exhaled sharply. "She's my intern. Clumsy. Innocent. Annoying as hell."
"Yet you picked her up yourself."
Adrian didn't answer. He didn't want to explain the irrational pull that made him do it. He didn't want to admit that the thought of something happening to Emilia on the streets twisted his stomach in ways bullets and knives never could.
"She's a liability," Matteo said quietly. "And you know what happens to liabilities."
Adrian's fingers clenched around the glass. "She doesn't know anything."
"Then keep it that way.
Emilia's POV
The next morning, Emilia woke to Lily humming in the kitchen. The smell of coffee filled the apartment, warm and comforting.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Lily called. "I made toast!"
Emilia stumbled out, hair messy, clutching a mug. "You're too good for me."
"Obviously." Lily winked.
They sat at the small table, sipping coffee. For a moment, it was peaceful—like the world outside didn't exist.
Then Lily's phone buzzed. She snatched it up quickly, smiling at the screen.
Emilia didn't have to ask to know who it was. "Daniel again?"
Lily flushed. "He's not that bad."
Emilia raised a brow. "He's lazy, forgetful, and he made you wait two hours at that café last week. Again."
"He's trying," Lily muttered defensively.
"Trying your patience, maybe."
Lily frowned but didn't answer. Emilia sighed, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. "You deserve someone who shows up for you, Lil."
"I know." Her voice was small, but the stubborn set of her jaw said she wasn't ready to give him up yet.
Emilia didn't push. She knew better than anyone that the heart rarely listened to logic.
Adrian's POV
Later that day, Adrian stood by the window of his penthouse, staring out over the city. He should have been focused on strategy, on the Russians, on strengthening alliances.
Instead, his mind wandered back to the car ride. To the way Emilia had glared at him with fire in her eyes. To the way she whispered his name when she thought danger lurked outside.
Adrian Volkov don't get distracted. Women were amusements, nothing more. He used them, discarded them, moved on. That was the rule.
But Emilia wasn't an amusement.
She was a problem.
And the worst part? A part of him didn't want the problem solved
Emilia's POV
By evening, Emilia lay on her bed scrolling through her phone, trying to distract herself with meaningless videos. But her thoughts kept circling back.
Adrian's smirk.
Adrian's command.
Adrian's danger.
She hated it. She hated him.
And yet, deep in her chest, a whisper she couldn't silence asked a question she wasn't ready to answer.
What if he wasn't just danger? What if there was more?
Emilia rolled over, burying her face in the pillow.
She would not fall for Adrian Volkov.
She couldn't.
So why did her heart refuse to listen?