Page 81 of Intense (Beneath The Blaze #3)

STEPHANIE

A stream of men enters through the door. One after another. Each one bigger than the last, like some twisted parade of giants.

I’m frozen on the spot.

Then she arrives. A woman with a razor-sharp bob of jet-black hair and a smile that could kill. She’s draped over the arm of a man in a navy suit who radiates power, the kind of man who doesn’t need to speak to own a room.

“I think you’ll like her,” Finn whispers into my ear.

“Who are they?” My voice is low.

“Frankie and Zara Falcone. They run New York. She’s the commissioner.”

My jaw nearly hits the floor. “Pardon?”

“Corruption at its finest,” Finn murmurs, almost amused.

Declan and Conan move forward, greeting the men like old allies. My stomach knots as I recognize one of them—the masked man from Vegas. Those dark eyes would haunt anyone, and when they lock on me, every instinct in my body screams to hide behind Finn.

He feels it instantly. His arm tightens around my waist, iron and protective, pulling me flush against him.

The door swings again, and another beast of a man steps in. He’s followed by a woman just as stunning and dangerous as Zara.

“Nikolai and Mila Volkov, and their leader, Mikhail,” Finn says. “Again, you’ll like her too.”

My head snaps toward him. “Why do you keep saying I’ll like them?”

He chuckles, tapping the tip of my nose. “Just a hunch.”

I scowl, but heat blooms in my chest at the way he says it—like he sees every hidden part of me and doesn’t flinch.

We all spill into the dining room, Declan already pouring drinks like it’s another night at Inferno. But Frankie and Zara cut straight toward us.

“Dr. Quinn.” Frankie’s Italian accent rolls thick and heavy.

“Good to see you again, Frankie. And Zara.” Finn greets them easily, offering Zara one of those rare smiles he saves for people who matter. “This is my wife, Stephanie.”

The room stills. It’s subtle, but I feel it. Eyes drag to us. To me.

Zara’s gaze softens as she steps forward, her smile disarming. Almost like she sees the nerves cracking under my surface.

“It’s a lot, isn’t it?” she whispers.

I exhale, the breath shaking out of me. “Yeah. I’m used to stressful situations at work, but this… this is topping it.”

Her brows lift, intrigued. “What do you do?” She plucks a glass of champagne from Frankie without breaking eye contact.

“I’m a surgeon in cardiology. I work for Finn.”

Her grin widens knowingly. “Nice. Married the boss.” She winks.

“That wasn’t my initial plan.”

“No. She wanted to kill me, really,” Finn’s voice cuts in dryly.

Frankie chuckles, joining the conversation. “Most of our women do want to kill us. That’s how we know they really love us.”

Nikolai and Mila drift closer, catching the tail end of the exchange.

“That’s how we met too, wasn’t it, d’yavolitsa?” Nikolai rumbles, looking down at Mila like she hung the stars.

Her lip curls, eyes full of adoration. “It worked out for us eventually.”

She steps toward me, hand extended, black nails like claws. “I’m Mila. Nice to meet you.”

“Stephanie.”

Finn presses a kiss to my neck, murmuring something against my skin before excusing himself to join the men. My body instantly misses the cage of his hold, but Mila and Zara close in on either side of me.

“You’re new to this world, aren’t you?” Mila asks.

I nod.

Zara smirks like she’s already seen my future. “But you’re going to be one of us. I can feel it.”

I glance around at the room full of predators and power. My lips twitch with something dark. “I’m not your typical surgeon. I guess you could say I have a past. And… some interesting pastimes.”

Their eyes light up. “Tell us more,” Mila presses, leaning in.

“Well,” I lower my voice, “up until recently, I had a part-time gig at a strip club. So I could hunt down men from my past… and kill them in their sleep.”

“Wow,” Zara breathes, genuine awe in her tone.

I blink. Wait. She’s a cop.

But her smile only widens. “Welcome to the family.” She slings an arm around my shoulder like we’ve known each other for years. “Whatever you have to do to survive, you’ll never catch judgment from us. We stick together in this world—especially us women.”

Tears sting unexpectedly in my eyes. I’ve never had women like this in my corner. Never felt the weight of protection that wasn’t transactional, wasn’t false. Just… fierce and loyal.

“Has Finn given you your instructions for tonight?” Mila asks.

I nod. “I–I kinda forced him to bring me here. I don’t really have a role, just that I have to stay with him at all times.”

The girls sip their champagne, perfectly poised.

“We came under the pretense of a date night in London,” Zara says lightly, though her eyes glint with steel. “But we’re here if we’re needed. Honestly? I think this will be an easy night for them. Precaution, more than anything.”

The door opens again, pulling my attention. Enzo. The twins. Drago. And three men I don’t recognize, their accents giving away their British roots the moment they speak.

“Should I be more prepared for this?” I whisper.

“Just trust Finn,” Mila says. “He knows what he’s doing. The Quinn brothers are well respected by our husbands.”

My gaze finds Finn across the room. He’s in deep discussion with the newcomers, the masked man listening closely.

And then those pale eyes of my husband cut to me again.

This time, he smiles.

I wonder what the world will hold for us once this is over.

The next thing I know, the men are carting guns, knives, throwing stars—every weapon you could imagine—straight from the adjoining room and dumping them across the dining table like it’s nothing more than a buffet spread.

“Come and pick your weapons,” the British one announces with a grin, like this is his idea of hospitality.

I watch as Finn’s pale hand hovers, deliberate, before he plucks a small handgun from the pile. The way he tests its weight, the way his eyes find mine—it’s not just a choice. It’s a lesson.

“Ever shot someone?” he asks casually, but I feel the weight of the question in my bones.

I shake my head. “No. But I know how to use one.”

I reach for it, fingers brushing his, but he doesn’t let go. Instead, his hand tightens over mine, holding it there, eyes boring into me.

“Think you could shoot someone?”

“Yes,” I answer without hesitation. Because I’ve thought about it. Lived it in my head a hundred times over.

The corner of his mouth curves, wicked and proud. He dips close enough that only I can hear. “Good girl.”

The whisper slithers through me, hot and sharp. His lips brush mine in a fleeting kiss before he finally releases the gun into my hand.

“Keep it in your purse,” he instructs. “Just a precaution.”

My stomach twists with nerves as I slide the weapon into the depths of my bag. Precaution. Nothing about this night feels like precaution.

Finn’s arm circles around my waist, pulling me into his side as though he can feel the thoughts racing in my head.

“We’ve got a quick meeting with Theo now to cover all the bases before we leave.” He tilts his head, watching my face, reading me the way only he can. “Want to listen in?”

“I’d love that.” I fake a smile. I can’t show him how nervous I am deep down. I want to be here. I want to see this side of him.

His smile is sharp and feral, full of something only I get to see. “Then stay close, temptress. Tonight, you’ll see everything.”

I nod and follow closely behind him into the living room.