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Eli’s expression darkens. “You really think a piece of paper will stop Alessandro from coming after her?”

“No.” My voice hardens. “But it’ll give me the right to rain hell down on anyone who tries.”

The door to my office slams open with enough force to rattle the windows. Eve storms in, her emerald eyes blazing with fury. The sight of her like this—wild and fierce—makes me feel things I’d rather not feel.

“I’m not your prisoner, Zeke,” she snarls, planting her hands on my desk and leaning forward. Her scent—fresh with a hint of vanilla—hits me hard. “You can’t keep me locked up here.”

I lean back in my chair, keeping my expression neutral despite the way my body responds to her proximity. “You’re right. You’re not a prisoner.”

“Then why won’t your men let me leave?” Her voice trembles with barely contained rage. “I tried to go to work this morning, and they blocked my car.”

“Because Alessandro Costa’s men were outside your precinct at six this morning.” I watch her face carefully as this sinks in. “You’re not locked up, Eve. But you’re not going anywhere without Eli.”

She straightens, crossing her arms. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

“No, you need protection.” I stand, coming around the desk. She holds her ground as I approach, chin lifted defiantly. “Eli isn’t a babysitter. He’s the only person besides my brother and Micah that I trust with your life.”

“I can protect myself.” There’s less heat in her voice now.

“I know you can.” I stop just short of touching her, close enough to feel the heat radiating from her body. “But you don’t have to do it alone anymore. Let me keep you safe, Eve.”

She searches my face, conflict warring in those beautiful eyes. “Why do you care so much?”

The question hits me like a punch to the gut.Because you’re mine, I want to say.Because the thought of losing you tears me apart inside.Instead, I say, “You know why.”

I watch Eve’s face tighten with frustration, her jaw clenching in that stubborn way I’ve come to both admire and dread. She’s not going to back down easily on this.

“So what’s your grand plan here?” She gestures to Eli. “He’s just going to lurk outside my desk all day while I try to work? My captain’s going to figure out who he is and throw him behind bars. Having your personal security hovering around the precinct isn’t exactly going to help sell this as normal.”

She has a point, but I can’t let her see me waver. Not when her safety is at stake. “Eli will maintain a discreet distance. He’ll watch from outside, monitoring who comes and goes.”

“Oh, that’s so much better,” she says, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Nothing suspicious about a huge guy in black hangingaround a police station all day. That won’t draw any attention at all.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose, fighting back a surge of frustration. “Evelyn—”

“No.” She cuts me off, jabbing a finger at my chest. “I get that you’re trying to protect me. I do. But I can’t do my job with a shadow breathing down my neck. I’m a detective, Zeke. My whole career is built on being able to move freely, talk to people, follow leads. How am I supposed to do that with your watchdog trailing me?”

Her words hit hard, but the image of Costa’s men watching her precinct flashes through my mind again. I can’t risk it. Won’t risk it.

“We’ll figure something out,” I say, knowing it’s not enough. “But until we deal with the Costa situation, this is non-negotiable.”

Her eyes flash dangerously. “Everything’s non-negotiable with you, isn’t it?”

“Eli,” I say, my eyes never leaving Eve’s face. “Give us a minute.”

He nods and slips out, closing the door behind him with a soft click. The moment we’re alone, I reach for Eve, pulling her against me. She stiffens but doesn’t pull away.

“What more do you want from me?” I ask, my voice rough with frustration. “I’ve given you protection, your own private space, freedom to come and go as you please—”

“Freedom?” She laughs, but there’s no humor in it. Her hands press against my chest, creating distance between us. “You call this freedom? Having your men follow me everywhere? Being told when and where I can go?”

“Protecting you doesn’t mean taking away your freedom.” My fingers flex against her hips, wanting to pull her closer again. “It means making sure you stay alive.”

“By controlling every aspect of my life?” Her eyes flash with that defiant fire that makes my blood burn. “That’s not protection, Zeke. That’s possession.”

Possession. The term ignites a primal flame within me. I crave complete ownership of her. She belongs under my protection, my care, my touch. Not another soul will ever lay hands on her.

“Call it what you want.” I lean down, bringing my face close to hers. “But I will not sit back and watch you die because of something that happened in my club.”