Ryder frowns. “Yes, unfortunately we need to close ranks and keep vigilant until this is ended. I’m sure you won’t mind staying here until it is.”

Lucas grabs my hand and growls. “You think I’m ever letting her go, even when it ends?”

The two men share a look and Ryder bursts out laughing. “Then it appears we have one man down already.” He winks at me. “I’m sorry for your situation, I feel responsible.”

Snake snorts beside him and Lucas shakes his head. “She has no complaints.”

“Are you sure about that?” I inject ice into my voice and shake my head. “Always so cocky, Lucas, you really should work on that, it’s so unattractive.”

Laughing, Lucas turns to the men opposite. “She loves me, what can I say, I’m irresistible.”

“Yeah, well, as I said, I’m sorry for your situation darlin’ and if you ever need rescuing, I’ll send in a team.”

Ryder winks and I giggle as Lucas rolls his eyes and as the men stand, Ryder holds out his hand which Lucas shakes warmly.

“I’ll be in touch.”

As they turn to leave, I can only wonder what will happen next. It doesn’t sound as if this is over anytime soon, and from the sounds of it, it’s only just begun.

Lucas shows the men out, leaving me to think about what just happened. Despite the serious nature of this business, I wouldn’t change a thing because it brought me to Lucas. We have a shot now, a chance of a good life - together. It has ended well for us, and I feel a little guilty about that. How can something so fantastic come out of something so destructive? It doesn’t seem fair, but as Lucas heads back into the room and clicks the lock on the door, I feel the shiver of desire lighting a trail to my soul.

As he approaches me with dark intent, I feel the desire ripping my principles to shreds and as he rips off his tie, I lick my lips in anticipation.

My future is dark but the darker the sky, the brighter the stars shine and Lucas Emiliano is the deeper shade of darkness that makes my light burn so brightly, I am blinded to anything else.

So, I step into the darkness and know I am home, with him, the man destiny always had in her sights for me and I have no complaints about that.

The End