Her Ruthless Keeper

Don’t let me down, Emily.

Emily

The morning light filtered through the tinted windows of the apartment as I made myself breakfast in the modern kitchen. The brown paper bag with the burgers from last night still sat untouched on the island. I hadn’t been able to eat after Ronan left. His words, his touch, the way he had looked at me — it all left me unsettled.

I sat by the window with a cup of coffee, staring out at the city. My mind kept drifting back to the past. Why had Ronan targeted me specifically? Was it only about Victor? The way he had said my old name… it felt personal. But I pushed the thought away. Right now, Victor was the reason I was here. Nothing more.

A knock sounded on the door. I opened it to find one of Ronan’s men,Tommy,standing there with a polite nod.

“Boss wants you ready for Victor’s session this afternoon,” he said. “I’ll drive you to the safe house.”

I nodded and got ready, choosing a professional blouse and slacks. As I rode in the car with Tommy, I focused on what I knew about Victor from the file Ronan had sent. He was a long-time enforcer, a made man in the family who had seen too much.

The safe house was a nondescript building on the outskirts. Ronan was waiting in the hallway when I arrived, looking every bit the powerful underboss. His steel-gray eyes swept over me, intense and lingering.

“Ready?” he asked, his voice low.

I nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”

He led me to the session room where Victor was waiting. The man looked broken trembling hands, dark circles under his eyes, a fresh scar on his arm from the ambush. He had witnessed a brutal betrayal during a deal with a rival family — one of their own turning on the leader and executing him in cold blood. Victor had barely escaped with his life, but the trauma had left him paranoid, drinking heavily, and talking about confessing to the feds.

I spent the next hour gently pulling out his trauma, helping him feel safe enough to speak. Ronan watched from the corner, silent and observant.

When the session ended, Victor looked slightly calmer. Ronan walked me out into the hallway.

“You did well,” he said, his tone almost

approving. “Keep it up.”

I met his gaze. “Victor has been through a lot. He needs time.”

Ronan nodded. “That’s why you’re here. Don’t let me down, Emily.”

He stepped closer, tilting my chin up with two fingers. His touch was firm. “You’re mine to keep now.”

I pulled away, my heart pounding. And As he left, I leaned against the wall, trying to steady myself.

Victor was the reason I was here. Nothing more. I couldn’t let myself think otherwise.

The drive back to the apartment was quiet. Tommy dropped me off, and I spent the rest of the evening trying to process everything. The luxurious space still felt like a cage, but I was starting to understand the rules. Ronan wanted control. And for now, I had to play along if I wanted to survive this.

I made dinner and ate alone by the window, watching the city lights. Tomorrow would bring another session with Victor — and another encounter with Ronan. I wasn’t sure which one scared me more.