Page 228 of Intense
I focus back on her, softer now, and she reaches up, wiping the lipstick away from my lips.
“I told them,” I say quietly.
Her eyes widen, then she gives me a soft smile as she cups my face. “I’m proud of you. Was it okay?”
I nod. “It’s done. Now we have one more task to complete. Then I’ll be free.”
She wraps her arms around my neck. “And then what’s the plan?”
“World’s ours, love. Whatever we want to do. Just as long as we’re together.”
Chapter 80
STEPHANIE
Astream 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.”
