Page 7 of One Rule

“Anything. Anything you want.”

“Bring me the head of the snake, and I’ll forgive this debt. Can you do that?” As I give him my terms, I watch through a mirror across from me as Isaac pulls out the manila envelope we’d prepared for something else, but will work now just the same. It’d been folded in half, the contents inside a mere three pages, and then I hear the muted thud as he slams it against his chest along with a loaded Glock, safety in place.That had to hurt.“Do this, and I’ll let you walk away. Betray me, and I’ll kill you in front of everyone you love.”

“He’s not in Florida.”

“Then find him.”

“Can I have protection for my family?” At his question, I turn around. There are tears running down his mutilated cheek while a sob builds in his chest. Neither moves me. “They’re innocent in all of this.”

This is a self-inflicted problem his idiocy helped create.

Never attack a predator without leaving it dead because the bite in retaliation will kill.

“No one will touch them.” A promise made because hurting innocents isn’t something I do. Liliana would shoot me herself for it. Would be disappointed in me.My rebel is a feisty one. Walking over, I tower over his shuddering frame and silently slide my blood-stained thumb across his forehead, marking him with his associate’s blood sealing our deal. “You have one week to bring me the person who ordered the thefts. Not a second more.”

Without waiting for a response, I turn and walk toward my private elevator with Isaac a few steps behind. And right before the metal doors close, I pull out my gun and set off one shot. It rips through the air and digs into the neck of the informant—the one guard who never helped or moved during the entire interrogation—as they bought him to give them a layout of my ship.

His death serves two purposes:

Never betray me. Nothing stays hidden for long.

The rest of my crew will handle the cadaver and Mr. Castillo. Some will guide a nervous Alfred toward the empty cell where he’ll spend the rest of the night before getting off my ship at the next port, while the cleaners will wash and sanitize the mess after releasing Herbert out to sea where nature will run its course.

The ride up to my private quarters is short, as is my patience; I need to see her. Make sure she’s safe.

Isaac stays outside of my office after I enter, and I’m in front of my desk within a few strides. Even quicker to scan my thumb on the keyboard that pulls up the feed from her mother’s condo, finding her immediately. She’s in her bedroom asleep and oblivious. All warm and sweet and mine; a decadent bundle curled up under a soft blanket while her dark hair creates a halo around her.

My world: one whose peace has been threatened.

My queen: she will always come first.

Never taking my eyes off the screen, I say her brother’s name out loud and a second later, the line rings twice and then clicks.

“Micah, it’s—”

“We have a fucking problem.”

Chapter2

Liliana

“…are you even listening to me, Liliana? Mr. Royce demanded those files to be ready by—”

The answer to her question this Monday morning is a resounding no. Not really, as the bits and pieces of Beverly’s annoying chatter make no sense to me.Hissecretary’s words are muddled in the background, buried beneath the rising beat of my heart and the small gasp that escapes me as the ding of the elevator reverberates throughout the top floor of his cruise line headquarters.

No one outside of those with immediate access is allowed here and two of us are standing in my office, though my clearance is unlimited while hers is monitored. Which means…

Micah Royce is here.

Back after a few days out at sea monitoring the newest ship’s first voyage; while to me, his absence is always excruciating. I’m attuned to even the smallest vibration when it comes to this man. Affected by my boss—his mere presence—when he sees me as nothing more than a family friend.

To him, I’m his best friend’s little sister.

To me, he’s a powerful force that never fails to weaken my knees and ruin my panties.

In his presence, I’m always left wanting more…

Of his time. His touch. His everything.

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