Nova's POV
You're not dying for me! I grab Caspian's shirt, refusing to let him go. There has to be another way
There isn't time
Then make time! I yank him back to the computers. You're a genius, right? The billionaire who built Obsidian Security? So think!
The countdown flashes: 2:47... 2:46... 2:45...
Caspian stares at me, something fierce and raw in his eyes. Then his jaw sets with determination.
You're right. He pulls me to his screens, his hand gripping mine tight. I'm not dying today. And neither are you.
His fingers fly across the keyboard with terrifying speed. Code scrolls past faster than I can read.
The bombs are rigged to a remote detonator, he mutters. But they need a signal. Wireless frequency. If I can find it—
I can help. I lean over his shoulder, scanning the code. Our bodies press together, his warmth seeping through my thin pajamas, but I force myself to focus. There. That frequency band. They're using a standard mercenary setup.
Caspian glances at me, surprised. You know mercenary bomb protocols?
I know code. It's all just code. My fingers join his on the keyboard. Can you jam the signal?
Not without triggering the failsafe— He stops. Wait. You're brilliant.
What?
We don't jam it. We hijack it. His eyes light up with dangerous excitement. Take control of their detonator. Make it ours.
2:15... 2:14... 2:13...
We work together, our hands moving in sync across the keyboards. His arm presses against mine. His breath is warm on my neck as he leans in to see the screen.
I shouldn't notice. Shouldn't be aware of every point of contact between us.
But I am.
There! I point. The control signal. Can you reroute it?
Already on it. Caspian's typing becomes a blur. This will either work or—
1:43... 1:42... 1:41...
Or what? My voice shakes.
Or we have ninety seconds to say goodbye.
Not an option. I pull up another window. I'm creating a feedback loop. When you hijack the signal, I'll corrupt the detonator's receiver. The bombs can't explode if they can't receive the command.
Caspian turns his head, and suddenly our faces are inches apart. His eyes burn into mine.
You're incredible, he breathes.
1:12... 1:11... 1:10...
Less talking. More hacking.
His lips quirk in an almost-smile. Then we both turn back to the screens.
Our fingers dance across the keyboards. Line after line of code. Rerouting. Corrupting. Stealing control from Volkov's men.
0:47... 0:46... 0:45...
Almost there, Caspian mutters. Just a few more
Got it! I hit enter on my corruption code. Receivers are scrambled.
And I have control of the detonator. Caspian pulls up a new window. Six bomb icons appear, all showing green. They're disarmed. We did it.
0:15... 0:14... 0:13...
The countdown hits zero.
Nothing happens.
We both exhale simultaneously. I realize I'm gripping Caspian's arm hard enough to leave marks.
We're alive, I whisper.
We're alive. He turns, pulls me into his arms, and kisses me again.
This kiss is different from the desperate one before. It's relief and triumph and something darker, hungrier. His hands slide into my hair, tilting my head back. I melt against him, my body fitting perfectly against his hard planes.
When we break apart, we're both breathing hard.
That was I start.
Alarms blare. Different ones. Urgent.
Caspian's eyes snap to the monitors. No.
What?
They're coming now. All thirty of them. They know the bombs failed. He's already moving, pulling weapons from his safe. They're going to breach the penthouse directly.
Fear crashes back through the desire. How long?
Minutes. Maybe less. He straps on tactical gear with practiced efficiency. They're not playing games anymore.
I look around his fortress—this penthouse that suddenly feels like a cage. Then I have to go. Get out of the building
No. Caspian grabs my arm. You can't go back to your apartment
I have to! My laptop, my files, my evidence against Julian
Are you listening? He cuts me off, his grip firm but not painful. Professional killers want you dead. Your apartment is compromised. They've been inside it, Nova. They know everything about it.
He pulls up files on his computer. Security footage of my apartment. Men in tactical gear installing cameras. Planting bugs. Going through my things.
My blood runs cold.
When? I whisper.
Three days ago. While you were at the coffee shop. Caspian's voice is ice. Julian Harrington hired Dmitri Volkov's organization. They don't stop until the job is done. That's why they're here with an army.
Dmitri Volkov. I recognize that name from news reports. Russian oligarch. Criminal syndicate. People who cross him disappear.
I can't stay here with you, I say, but my voice wavers.
You don't have a choice. Caspian's eyes bore into mine. You leave this penthouse, you die within twenty-four hours. Guaranteed.
I look around his fortress. Cameras showing every angle of the building. Weapons everywhere. This stranger who's been watching me for months, who knows my every habit, who just kissed me like I belong to him.
How do I know you're not dangerous? I ask.
Caspian's smile is cold. Predatory.
I am dangerous, Nova. Very dangerous. He moves closer, and I feel the threat radiating from him like heat. I've killed men who threatened people under my protection. I've destroyed billion-dollar corporations. I've made my enemies disappear so thoroughly their families never found the bodies.
I should be terrified.
But not to you, he continues, his voice softening. Never to you. I would burn the world before I let it hurt you.
The possessive intensity in his eyes makes my pulse race.
This is insane, I whisper.
Yes. He cups my face with one hand. But it's happening. You're mine to protect now. Mine to keep safe. And I don't fail twice.
Before I can respond, his computer pings. New message.
Caspian's expression darkens as he reads it.
What? I move closer to see.
It's a video message. Julian appears on screen, looking calm and professional in an expensive suit.
My ex-fiancé. The man who destroyed my life.
Hello, Nova, Julian says smoothly. I know you're watching. I know you're with Caspian Mercer. His smile is cold. Here's what's going to happen. You have two choices. Come out of that penthouse in the next hour, turn yourself in to my associates, and I'll make your death quick. Painless.
Rage floods through me. Caspian's hand finds mine, squeezes.
Or, Julian continues, you hide with Mercer, and I'll make sure everyone you've ever cared about pays the price. He holds up a tablet. Starting with your best friend Alexis Kim.
The video shifts.
Lex appears on screen. She's tied to a chair in some basement. Blood on her lip. Fear in her eyes.
My heart stops.
No, I breathe.
You have one hour, Nova, Julian says. Your life for hers. Clock's ticking.
The video ends.
I stare at the blank screen, horror flooding through me.
Lex, I whisper. They have Lex.
Caspian is already typing frantically. I'm tracking the video source
There's no time! I grab his arm. I have to go. I have to save her
It's a trap.
I don't care! Tears stream down my face. She's the only person who never gave up on me. I can't let them kill her because of me!
Nova, listen
No! I pull away from him. I'm going. You can't stop me.
Caspian's expression turns hard. Dangerous.
Actually, he says quietly, I can.
Before I can react, he moves. Fast. His hand catches my wrist, spins me around, and suddenly I'm pressed against his chest with his arm locked around my waist.
Trapped.
Let me go! I struggle, but he's immovable.
I'm sorry, Caspian says in my ear. But I'm not letting you die. Even if you hate me for it.
He's walking me toward a door I haven't noticed before. Steel. Reinforced.
What are you doing? Panic claws at my throat.
Keeping you alive. He opens the door. A safe room. Small. Fortified.
Caspian, please
I'll get your friend. I'll bring her here safely. His arms tighten around me. But you stay here where they can't reach you
You can't fight them alone
Watch me.
He lifts me—actually lifts me—and carries me into the safe room despite my struggles.
I'll come back for you, he promises, setting me down. I swear it.
Caspian, don't
He kisses me. Hard and fast and desperate.
Then he steps back and slams the door.
I hear the locks engage. Electronic. Biometric. Unbreakable from the inside.
No! I pound on the door. Caspian! Let me out!
Silence.
I'm locked in. Trapped. Safe.
While he goes to fight thirty killers alone.
I sink to the floor, pressing my hands against the cold steel.
On a small monitor in the corner, I can see Caspian's penthouse. He's loading weapons. Strapping on more gear. Preparing for war.
Then he does something that makes my blood run cold.
He pulls up his computer. Types rapidly. And on the monitor, I see him transferring files.
To me.
Bank accounts. Passwords. Property deeds. Everything.
A message pops up on my screen: If I don't come back, everything I have is yours. Use it to destroy Julian. Use it to stay alive. You deserve the world, Nova. I'm sorry I only had eight months to protect it for you. -C
No, I whisper. No, no, no—
On the monitor, Caspian walks to his penthouse door. Opens it.
Thirty armed men wait in the hallway.
He smiles. Cold and deadly.
Gentlemen, he says. Who wants to die first?
Then he steps out, and the door closes behind him.
Gunfire erupts.
I scream his name, but he can't hear me through the reinforced walls.
On the monitor, I watch him fight. Watch him take down man after man with terrifying skill.
But there are so many of them.
Too many.
And I'm locked in here, helpless, while the man who claimed me as his fights for his life.
The monitor suddenly shows a new angle.
My apartment building entrance.
A figure enters. Female. Moving with purpose.
The camera catches her face.
My sister Sienna.
But she's not alone.
She's leading more men into the building.
Reinforcements.
And she's smiling.