Page 8 of Desperate Crimes
He thinks this deal is about power.
Wealth.
Legacy.
And it is.
But what he doesn’t know is that the true merger—the only one I care about—is already underway.
She just doesn’t know it yet.
But soon, Leanna Volkov will carry my name.
And when that happens?
There won’t be any more lines between Fury and Volkov.
Because I’m going to make her mine in every way that counts.
And God help anyone who tries to stop me.
Chapter One-Nico Jr
Present Day (Summer)—On the Parkway Just After Lucy and Balor’s Party
Did I plan to kidnap the object of my obsession from Balor Cruz and Lucy Volkov’s backyard premiere party?
Not exactly.
It practically dropped into my lap, wrapped in red silk and stardust like a gift the universe owed me.
One moment, Leanna Volkov is laughing under the string lights like some untouchable fairy queen—lips glossed, throat bare, champagne in one hand, her red dress hugging every goddamn curve like it was stitched by sin itself.
She glows.
Radiates.
Like the world was made to orbit her.
And all I can think is mine.
She twirls beneath the stars, completely unaware.
Unaware that the devil is watching her.
Not just watching. Calculating.
Because she doesn't know the rules have already changed.
She doesn’t know I stopped being patient the second I saw her looking so free, so perfect, so ripe for taking.
The devil, of course, is me.
And the next moment?
She’s walking to her car—which just so happens to be parked beside mine.
Alone.
