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When I look at my complex, intense, bright, yet dark man, I’m not so sure about that.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Nico

I sit in the back of a police surveillance van with Detective Ramirez, a tough cop who has been an ally to the Family since I took leadership and began transforming the city. She revealed the true identity of the person behind my woman's mother's murder.

Now, we watch a security monitor displaying a live feed from the restaurant where the meeting is taking place. When I agreed to this plan, Sienna demonstrated remarkable initiative. "I'll message Adrian, claiming I got his number from your phone. I'll say I’ve got what he asked for, and I need to meet immediately to put this behind me. I saw his desperation. He'll take the bait."

Sienna appears on screen, traversing the bustling, upscale restaurant with surprising confidence. She berates herself for her reaction the night of the party, as though she should have maintained composure after that bastard blindsided her.

"She looks confident," Ramirez observes, then addresses the technicians monitoring the audio equipment. "Do we have audio?"

One technician increases the volume, allowing us to hear the restaurant's ambient noise and Sienna's breathing. Ramirez is right—Sienna appears self-assured, but her irregular breathing betrays her anxiety.

"If he tries anything with her," I growl menacingly.

Ramirez shakes her head. "Let's avoid that scenario. You made the right decision in approaching me. Adrian won't be able to use his Russian connections to evade consequences this time... will he?"

"Viktor Barinov won't interfere when you prosecute my cousin," I assert grimly.

"I’m not going to ask what you mean by that."

"That's undoubtedly for the best."

Sienna sits at a corner table, fully visible to the cameras. Despite the grainy quality of the feed and her distance from the lens, her beauty remains striking.

"Adrian confirmed his attendance?" Ramirez questions.

"You saw the text. He said he’ll be here."

We wait for what feels like forever. All I want is to storm the restaurant and trade places with Sienna. My protective instinct has never been stronger, yet pride mingles with concern. She's overcoming her fear, rising magnificently to the challenge. Even she fails to see her extraordinary fortitude.

"Here we go," Ramirez announces.

Adrian struts across the restaurant with his usual bravado. He reaches Sienna, snorting derisively. "You could at least pretend to be happy to see me, doll. I'm doing you a favor—helping you put away the man who stole your mother from you ."

"Are you planning to sit, or just stand there trying to act tough?"

Ramirez grins at me. "Tough gal."

"The toughest," I affirm proudly.

Adrian laughs harshly, taking a seat and adjusting his jacket.

"Is that gun supposed to scare me?" Sienna challenges.

I clench my fists, battling the impulse to rush out there and stop Adrian before he endangers my woman.

“We have agents positioned throughout the restaurant," Ramirez reminds me. "If he tries anything, we'll intervene." She snaps her fingers for emphasis.

"I must admit, doll, it's fascinating watching you attempt bravado after your performance the other night."

"I have what you want," Sienna retorts.

"Give it here, then."

"Not until you clear something up."