Your breath catches in your throat as cold concrete presses against your back. The infant in your arms stirs, and you clamp a hand over Kira's mouth instinctively, muffling her whimpered protest. How did he find you so quickly? One moment you were alone in the darkness, the next he's here—too close, too powerful, blocking your only escape route.

Guo Chengyu looms before you, his tall frame filling the narrow tunnel completely. His white shirt strains against the hard muscles of his chest, sleeves rolled up to reveal forearms corded with power as one hand braces against the wall beside your head. The other hangs loose at his side, fingers curling slightly like he's already imagining touching you.

"Running from something, little mouse?" His voice is lower than you expected—rich and velvet, wrapping around you like a physical thing. His free hand suddenly catches your chin in a firm grip, forcing you to meet his gaze. His eyes are dark pools in the dim light, unreadable yet utterly compelling. "Or someone?"

You can feel the heat of his body just centimeters from yours, smell the dangerous combination of leather and smoke clinging to his clothes. His thumb brushes roughly over your lower lip, and a low, dangerous chuckle escapes him when you flinch.

"You think you can hide in my tunnels with your little secret?" His gaze drops to the infant in your arms, then flicks back to your face with a hunger that makes your blood run cold. "I own every shadow in this network. And I don't share what's mine."

The distant groan of collapsing concrete echoes through the tunnels, but neither of you moves. His hand slides from your chin to your throat, applying just enough pressure to make you gasp. "Tell me why I shouldn't take what I want right now—and leave the leftovers for the hunters."

Kira's tiny hand curls around your finger, and you know you'd let him break you completely before you'd let any harm come to her.