Bound by Fire

Episode 9: Shadows in the Dark

Seraphina was never the kind of woman to let a man win.

Kieran Blackwell thought he had her exactly where he wanted—pressed against the glass, body still trembling from what he did to her. But if he thought that meant he was in control? He was about to learn otherwise.

She turned in his arms, wrists still bound behind her back with his silk tie. His mistake.

Kieran’s smirk was slow, knowing. “Already craving more?”

Seraphina lifted her chin. “Not quite.”

She leaned in, lips barely brushing his—a tease, a promise, a threat. She heard the sharp inhale, saw the flicker of hunger in his eyes.

And then—BANG.

The sharp sound of something heavy hitting the door made them both freeze.

Kieran reacted instantly, stepping in front of Seraphina as his expression darkened.

Another bang. This time, followed by a voice—low, taunting, and dangerous.

“Come on, Blackwell. You’re not ignoring me, are you?”

Seraphina’s stomach twisted. That voice.

Kieran clenched his jaw. “Dante.”

Dante Valenciaga.

The name sent a chill down Seraphina’s spine. The kind of man who didn’t knock unless he was about to burn your world down.

A criminal. A rival. A ghost from Kieran’s past who never stayed buried.

And now? He was here.

Kieran’s grip on her waist tightened for a split second—a silent warning.

“Stay behind me.” His voice was low, controlled. Lethal.

Seraphina’s pulse kicked up. Not from fear. From something darker.

Kieran turned toward the door, grabbing his shirt off the couch as he moved. The game between them could wait.

Because if Dante Valenciaga was here?

It meant trouble was already inside the building.