FORBIDDEN INSTINCTS

The ledger 2

​"You can put the ledger down, Maya," he said softly, leaning his hip against the desk. "Nobody is taking it from you in here."

​Maya hesitated, then walked over and placed the heavy leather book on the desk between them. "We need to talk about the encryption."

​"First, we talk about what's actually in there," Julian countered, leaning forward slightly. "You said it has Mercer's off-shore accounts. Does it have the supply routes for the northern shipments?"

​"It has everything," Maya said, her eyes flashing with a cold intensity that matched his own. "Every bribe, every illegal arm deal, every person he bought off to keep his seat on the Council. Including the orders that destroyed your unit three years ago."

​Julian’s posture went rigid. The relaxed air around him evaporated instantly, replaced by a dark, suffocating intensity. He closed the distance between them in two long strides, stopping mere inches from her.

​"How do you know about that?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

​"I found the files in his private study," Maya answered without flinching, stepping closer into his space rather than pulling back. "I know what he did to you, Julian. You're not the only one who wants him burned to the ground. He ruined my life too."

​They stood eye-to-eye, the air between them heavy with a shared, bitter history and an undeniable, magnetic draw. Julian reached out, his broad hand coming to rest on the back of her neck, his thumb resting against her pulse point. He could feel her heart hammering against his touch.

​"You're playing with fire, Maya," he murmured, his thumb stroking the soft skin behind her ear. "If we do this, there's no going back. Mercer will tear this city apart looking for us."

​"Let him try," Maya whispered, her eyes locked on his. She didn't pull away; instead, she leaned slightly into his hand, seeking the warmth and strength in his grip. "We finish this together."

​Julian stared down at her, his expression softening just a fraction as the fierce, unbreakable resolve in her eyes struck a chord deep within him. For a long moment, neither spoke, the quiet hum of the storm outside providing the only backdrop to the silent agreement forged between them in the dark.