Chapter 3 The Devil's Desires

{Ronan's POV}

She whimpered in her sleep.

Even unconscious, she was restless-like her body didn't trust peace anymore. Her legs were tangled in the sheets, one arm thrown over her chest as if trying to shield herself.

The bruises on her jaw were darker now. The swelling around her lip had set in. I hated how small she looked in my bed. Like she was trying to disappear into the mattress.

I hadn't taken my eyes off her in over an hour.

Not because I didn't trust my security team-no one could touch her now.

But because for the first time in years, I wasn't sure if I'd saved someone... or destroyed her.

My phone buzzed on the glass table beside me. I let it ring once. Twice. Then I picked it up.

"Talk."

Luca's voice came through, low and steady. "Cleanup's done. Cops bought the story-break-in gone bad. Two bodies disposed. The third one... he's still breathing."

"Name?"

"Vincent Franco. Ex–White Fang crew. Guessing he got bought out by Salvatore's men."

Of course he did.

"They send a message?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

"Yeah," Luca muttered. "You're not untouchable anymore."

I exhaled, eyes drifting back to Selene. "I never was. Just better at bleeding in silence."

A pause on the line. "Ronan..."

"Say it."

"You know what this means. You hit back, you risk war. You never do and now they will think that you are slipping. Getting soft."

"I'm not slipping."

"I know. But the board's watching. Investors are jumpy. The banks-"

"I don't care about the fucking banks, Luca." My voice dropped to a quiet, dangerous edge. "Do you think I'm scared of losing money?"

"No," he said immediately. "But if they come for her again-"

"They won't."

Another pause.

"Ronan..."

"I said they won't."

I ended the call.

Silence returned.

Selene shifted again, brow furrowed like she could feel my anger from across the room.

God. She didn't even know the half of it.

---

Two years ago, I'd been sitting in that same armchair when Damien brought her to my world for the first time.

He was grinning like a wolf who thought he'd outsmarted the pack. "This is Selene," he'd said at the gala, all charm and showmanship. "My fiancée."

She'd extended her hand with a soft, uncertain smile.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Blackwood."

I remembered the way her voice had trembled just slightly. She'd looked me in the eye, but only for a moment. Like she knew exactly what I was-but was too polite to say it.

She hadn't belonged in our world. Not with the blood-stained suits. Not with the whispers behind closed doors.

She'd belonged somewhere bright. Somewhere soft.

I should've let her stay there.

---

A sharp knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and I growled knowing exactly who it was.

"Get lost," I said.

The door opened anyway.

Of course it did.

Lena stepped inside like she owned the penthouse. Tall, sharp-cheekboned, dressed in sleek black leather and wearing a scowl like war paint.

"The hell is she doing in your bed?" she hissed.

"She's sleeping."

"She's bleeding." Lena crossed her arms. "And she's Damien's wife."

"Not anymore."

"She's a liability, Ronan."

I stood, slowly. "So was I, once. Didn't stop me from becoming your boss."

Lena rolled her eyes. "Don't do this. This girl doesn't belong here and absolutely not worth the risk you are taking, Ronan."

"I know." I turned to look back at Selene. "And yet here she is."

"You know you will have these bastards on your back for crossing them."

I let out a laugh, "they have been on my back but too scared to be obvious about it. At least I presented a good opening for them."

"Ronan..."

"I don't remember owing you an explanation for my actions, Lena." I snapped and she flinched.

"I'm worried about you. I don't want you to lose everything you've built cos of her."

"No. She's going to make me want to build something better."

Lena stared at me like I'd grown a second head. "You're serious."

"I've been serious about her for a long time."

"She doesn't know who you are."

"She doesn't need to. Not yet."

"Then what's the plan?"

I turned back to her, voice ice-cold. "The plan is: no one touches her again. And you stay in your place which doesn't involve you questioning me."

Lena shook her head slowly. "You're falling for a woman who doesn't belong in this world."

I smiled. "Then I'll burn this world down and build one where she does."

Lena walked out without another word.

Good.

I turned back to the bed.

Selene let out a soft breath, her face finally calm.

And for the first time in years, the devil in me didn't want blood.

He just wanted her.