Adrian stood beside Selene as Viktor Volkov rose from his seat. The scar across Viktor’s face caught the low light, stretching as his lips curved into something between a grin and a snarl.
“And who,” Viktor asked slowly, his gaze locked on Selene, “is this striking creature you’ve brought into my den, Adrian?”
Adrian’s jaw clenched. “A friend.”
“Friend,” Viktor repeated, rolling the word over his tongue as though tasting it. His eyes didn’t leave her, not even for a second. “No, not just a friend. Beautiful women are never just anything.”
Selene froze. Not because of Viktor’s words, but because of the sudden knot in her stomach. His attention was too sharp, too focused. Dangerous men always looked at her like that—but this felt different.
“Enough,” Adrian cut in, his voice low and dan
