Page 120 of The Owner's Temptation

The barrel is pressed to his forehead before he even realizes I’ve moved.

Everyone freezes.

He lifts his hands immediately, palms open. “Lucian?—”

“You so much as twitch wrong,” I growl, “and I’ll paint this fucking floor with your brains.”

Slowly, his hand retreats, emerging with nothing more than an envelope. Pale yellow. Crumpled edges.

A summons.

“To deliver it personally,” he says, trying for composure.

I snatch the paper from him, then lower the gun—but not all the way.

A court order.

A formal investigation into the legality ofThe Masquerade’s operations.

Accusations of violating public decency codes.

Obscenity laws.

Operating an unlicensed adult entertainment venue in direct conflict with zoning ordinances.

A hearing date—soon.

They’re not coming forThe Ledger.

Not yet.

They’re trying to drag me into the light.

Force my hand.

Pull me out of the shadows where I rule.

Big mistake.

I tuck the Glock back into my waistband, then glance over my shoulder at him.

“You forget which side of neutral you’re standing on, and I’ll be quick to remind you.”

He doesn’t reply. He can’t.

Because the room’s already moved on.

Because I already have.

I’ve got a war to fight.

A city to defend.

And one stubborn, seductive little rabbit waiting at my home?—

A home she hasnoidea she’s about to be caged in.

I’ve been kidnapped by a sadistic sex god in a mask.

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