Page 19 of Throttle All the Way

He paced the small office, his frustration palpable. "I can’t believe you thought you could hide something like this from me? I put you here to be my eyes and ears, not to go behind my back! Yulian is a threat, and we can't afford surprises."

I tried to maintain my composure as I responded. “I’m not a kid anymore, Prez. I’m a Detective and I have my own set of morals and make my own decisions. I did what I thought was best for everyone without compromising my only witness who can put that asshole behind bars. If anyone gets close to knowingwho she is, she’s dead, and there goes our chance to destroy Yulian.

Bulldog halted,his gaze locking onto me. "The fact that you didn’t trust…

“That’s not the case,” I shook my head. “I trust you and my brothers with my life. But if anyone steps in now, she’ll run, just like she did before. I can’t lose her again,” my eyes pleaded silently with him and a glint of understanding shone in his face.

Ray interjected, attempting to mediate, "Bulldog, Cipher's got a point. We need to adapt and make tough choices to stay ahead of Yulian.”

Bulldog's stern expression softened only slightly. "I get the game, but Mila could be in more danger here. If Yulian's in Washington, she's a target. We need a plan, not impulsive decisions."

Ayana, standing by Bulldog's side, voiced her agreement. "He's right, Cipher. We can't afford missteps, especially with an innocent involved."

I sighed, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "I know. I'll work on a plan, and we'll keep her safe. But understand, you have to let me do this on my own, the less you know, the safer you all are."

“What is it you don’t want us to know?”

I hesitated for a long moment and then I figured he needed to know, so he could protect us all. “The Russians are being watched by the FBI. There is a sex trafficking ring that surrounds all this. Mila is a witness to what Yulian has spoken of or done in the past year. She is the only witness who can help both you and the FBI. I can’t have you involved Prez, it’s too dangerous. You get caught up in this shit you may get locked up.”

Bulldog looked solemn as the realization of the situation hit. “I have to warn them-our brothers- they need to know what is coming.”

I nodded. “Fine. Tell them to keep alert, to watch their sixes, but I’m the lead on this case and on Mila’s security.”

The tension in the room lingered. “And what do you plan to do?”

“Keep a close eye on her for now. Being at Soul’s she’s on our territory. Let Yulian even try to take her.”

My threat over Yulian hovered in the air between us, the weight of what I had just demanded weighed down heavily on me.

Bulldog nodded, “You watch your back, son.”

I acknowledged his concern with a nod. “Always, Prez.”

CIPHER

The roads had finally opened, but I couldn’t let Mila Stepanovich leave Port Townsend. Not yet. Not until I could be sure she’d be safe. My hands gripped the steering wheel, the leather creaking under my fingers as I sat in my car, staring at the Inn through the windshield. The snow had stopped falling hours ago, but the storm still churned inside me, a chaotic mix of the Bastard and the cop in me fighting for control.

The Bastard won out, as he usually did.

The thought of keeping her locked away stirred something primal in me. I could already see it—her wrists bound, her fiery temper clashing with my dominance as I did what was necessary to protect her. The cop in me whispered a warning, a nagging reminder that what I was about to do wasn’t just illegal but downright insane. Kidnapping wasn’t exactly in the job description. But none of that mattered anymore. Logic had abandoned me the moment Mila walked into my life.

I popped the trunk and reached for the bungee cords tucked inside. They weren’t exactly rope, but they’d do the job. Shoving them into my jacket, I stepped out into the night and made my way to the Inn. Every step was calculated, every movementcareful not to draw attention. Being one of Soul’s guardians had its perks. Full access to the hotel meant no one would bat an eye if they saw me wandering the halls, even at this ungodly hour.

The lock on her door clicked open, and I slipped inside. The room was dimly lit by the moonlight streaming through the curtains, casting a silver glow over her sleeping form. She was lying face down, her body relaxed, one arm draped over the edge of the bed. Her dress hung carelessly over the back of a chair, her panties a crumpled heap on the floor. My gaze dropped to the sheet barely covering her curves, and the realization hit me like a goddamn freight train—she was naked under there.

Fuck.

My cock throbbed against my jeans, my restraint slipping as I took her in. She looked so peaceful, so fucking beautiful, and for a moment, I hesitated. This wasn’t about hurting her; I had no intention of causing her pain. But Mila had a way of scrambling every logical thought in my head, leaving me running on nothing but raw instinct. And that instinct screamed at me to keep her close—no matter what.

I turned away, trying to regain control. Her purse was splayed open on the small table in the corner, its contents scattered. I rummaged through it, my fingers brushing over lipstick, a wallet, a small switchblade that made me smirk. Mila didn’t play by anyone’s rules. That was what made her dangerous. And that was exactly why I couldn’t let her go.

There was only one way to ensure her safety: force her to stay here. Unconventional? Absolutely. Effective? Without a doubt. No one would know where she was, and I’d have her right where I could keep an eye on her.

I moved back to the bed, pulling the bungee cords from my jacket. My hands worked quickly, securing her wrists to the headboard with a precision that came from years of practice. Her ankles followed, the cords stretching to the footboard. Shestirred as I finished, her body shifting against the mattress, and then her eyes snapped open.

“What the hell?” Her voice was hoarse, laced with sleep and panic as she pulled against the restraints.

“What do you want? Who are you?”

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