I crossed the room, standing beside him."Levi, this isn't your fault.Dante did this.He's the monster, not you."

He turned to face me, his eyes dark and stormy."I won't let him hurt anyone else.Not you.Not anyone."

For a moment, we just stood there, the weight of everything hanging between us.Then Levi reached out, his hand brushing against mine.The contact sent a jolt through me, and I looked up to find his gaze locked on mine.

"Krista," he said, his voice low and rough."I can't lose you."

My breath caught in my throat."You won't."

He didn't say anything else.He didn't need to.The look in his eyes said it all.There was fear, determination, and something else.

"We're in over our heads, aren't we?"

He didn't answer right away.When he squeezed my hand, it wasn't just a gesture of comfort.It was a promise, one I wasn't sure I was ready to accept."Maybe.But we'll figure it out together."

But as much as I wanted to believe him, I couldn't shake the nagging doubt in the back of my mind.Levi was used to fighting his battles alone, and I wasn't sure if he knew how to let someone else in.And honestly, I wasn't sure if I knew how to let someone else in either.

The report sat on the counter between us, a silent reminder of everything we stood to lose.Selene's face flashed in my mind, her death was no longer just a headline but a warning.Dante was coming, and I could feel the noose tightening.I didn't know if I was ready for what came next.All I knew was that backing down wasn't an option.Not for me, and not for Levi.

Levi's voice pulled me out of my thoughts."We'll figure this out."

I nodded, forcing a smile.

But as I looked at him, the weight of his hand still lingering in mine, I couldn't shake the doubt creeping in.Levi's world was a storm I hadn't asked to step into, and I wasn't sure I could weather it.How long before the danger caught up to us?How long before one of us got hurt, or worse?

Chapter 6

LEVI

The red carpet stretched endlessly before us, a sea of flashing cameras and shouting reporters.Krista's hand rested lightly on my arm, her fingers warm against my skin.She was a vision in a sapphire gown that hugged her curves, her hair piled atop her head with a few loose strands framing her face.Her confidence radiated like a beacon, her smile effortless as she posed for the cameras.

"Just play along," she murmured, her lips barely moving.

I forced a smile, my jaw tight."I hate these things."

Her laugh was soft, and if not for my enhanced sense of hearing, the clamor around us would have drowned it out."You're a movie star, Levi.This is your life."

"My life is a circus," I muttered.

She squeezed my arm gently."Then let's give them a show."

The cameras clicked furiously as we walked, her presence calming the storm inside me.I struggled to hold back a possessive growl as the reporters and paparazzi called her name and shoved their cameras in her direction.Krista was here to help me clear my name.I couldn't fuck it up by acting like a beast and ruining all the hard work she had done.But she was so convincing at her job.By the time we made it to the end of the red carpet and as her scent enveloped me, I had to remind myself that this was just an act.

We were steps from stepping inside away from the press zoo when a reporter shoved a microphone in my face."Levi, how do you respond to the allegations against you?Do you have any comment on Selene Reyes's death?"

I cut him off with a glare, ready to wrap my claws around his neck.Krista stepped in smoothly, her smile never wavering."Levi and I are here tonight to celebrate the incredible work of the filmmakers nominated this year.We'd appreciate it if we could keep the focus on the art, not the rumors."

The reporter blinked, thrown off by her poise.Krista gave me a subtle nudge, and I managed a tight smile."What she said."

We moved on before anybody else could accost us.Her grip tightened on my arm."Good save," she said under her breath.

"You're better at this than I am," I admitted.

She chuckled."That's why they pay me the big bucks."

We entered the auditorium, the hum of conversation between the guests already filling the air.The awards ceremony dragged on, each presenter and speech a blur.I barely noticed who won what, too focused on the woman beside me.Krista's leg brushed against mine, the warmth of her skin melting into my side.It may have been wishful thinking on my part, but I caught her glancing at me more than once.

"What?"I asked finally, leaning closer.