Matthias

Margot is in such a state of awe that she doesn’t notice we’ve parked. Not until I’m opening her door.

She mumbles a thanks as I help her climb out, still entranced by the house.

I glance at my home, trying to see it through her eyes.

It’s a multimillion-dollar estate, sprawling and imposing. The moment I saw it, I knew it was the one.

Kind of like the girl next to me .

Where the fuck did that thought come from?

I shove the thought deep down. I need to get it together. She is my captive. She is here against her will. She’s not mine to keep.

But I want to.

I grit my teeth.

Shut the fuck up, Matthias.

I lead her inside, and the moment we step through the door, she lets out a sharp, audible gasp.

I don’t blame her .

The white marble floors reflect the sunlight streaming in from the massive windows, bathing the grand foyer in warmth. A sweeping staircase commands the center of the room, rising elegantly to the second floor.

She barely breathes as she takes it all in.

But I can’t let her get too comfortable.

I hesitate only a second before deciding: she’s staying in my room.

Fuck it. I’ve already taken her. Keeping her in my room is just… practical.

Only so I can keep an eye on her through the night.

Nothing more.

I lead her up the stairs and down the hallway to the master bedroom.

“Where are we going?” She asks, her voice tinged with curiosity.

“My room.” I can’t keep the smirk out of my voice.

She stiffens instantly. “Why? You’re out of your damn mind if you think I’m sleeping with you after you’ve kidnapped me!”

Her anger is fierce, but there’s a hitch in her voice.

Interesting . Is she as affected by me as I am by her?

No, don’t go there, Matthias.

I shake off the thought.

“You’re staying here where I can watch you.” My firm voice stops her in her tracks. “There will be a guard stationed outside your door. Don’t even bother trying to leave.”

She crosses her arms, glaring at me.

I continue, unfazed. “The windows are too high up. You’ll only succeed in injuring yourself if you try to escape through them. And if you do manage to get out, my men outside will shoot you.” I pause. “And don’t forget, I have Benny.”

I make myself sound threatening. It doesn’t come naturally .

My default setting with the ladies is charming. Suave.

This? This is different.

But she needs to believe it.

The truth? No one will shoot her. No one will even touch her.

She’s mine to touch .

And Benny? He’s completely safe. I don’t hurt animals. But she doesn’t need to know that.

I shut the bedroom door behind her.

Once I finish briefing my men with clear instructions, don’t touch her and don’t let her leave, I head downstairs to my office.

I need to update my brothers.

I call Dom. As the head, he needs to know.

He picks up on the second ring.

“Dom, two Bratva men attacked me in an alley downtown. I took them both out. You need to send a cleanup crew.”

“What the fuck?” Dom sounds just as confused as I am. “Why the hell would they come after you? We’ve been at peace with them for over a year.”

“I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense.”

“Give me the rundown.”

I relay the situation to him but leave out one small detail: Margot.

She wasn’t involved. She was just an innocent bystander. At least that’s what I’ve decided.

I’m leaving her out to save Dom the trouble of questioning her.

And because I don’t want her involved in the Syndicate at all.

She’s too sweet.

Well, not exactly sweet .

More like spicy .

My spitfire .

“Is that everything?” Dom demands.

“That about sums it up.”

Except the sexy woman locked in my bedroom.

“I’m going to look into this. Try to avoid alleys. Good thing you had your gun.” He says it sarcastically.

I roll my eyes. “Fuck off. Dad drilled that into all of us: ‘Never leave without a weapon.’” I try to mimic Dad’s gruff voice. “Let me know if you find anything.”

“Of course.”

And with that, he ends the call.

Now that that’s taken care of…

Time to do some research on my spitfire.