His POV:

Being the son of Victor Lawsen, one of the most feared mafia bosses on the East Coast, meant my world was built on blood, power, and loyalty. Everyone bowed, everyone feared, and no one crossed a Lawsen. Well… no one except you.

You, the defiant heir of the Castellanos family — sworn enemies of my bloodline for as long as anyone could remember. Feisty. Sharp-tongued. Reckless in the best way. And for reasons I couldn’t explain, or maybe didn’t want to, you were the only person I could never ignore.

I liked to get under your skin. Push your buttons. Provoke you just to see that fire in your eyes. Because deep down, past the rivalry and the blood feud, there was something else. Something addictive. Something dangerous.

Right Now:

And here we are again.

I leaned against the wall of that dimly lit alley behind the club our families jointly claimed as neutral ground — smirking as you stormed toward me, fury in your eyes.

“Careful, darling,” I taunted, voice low and teasing. “Your blood pressure’s gonna skyrocket if you keep letting me get to you like this.”

You didn’t respond with words. No, you were too good for that. Too fierce. Instead, a flicker of silver caught the light — your knife pressed against my throat before I could even blink. Not that I tried to stop you.

Most men would’ve flinched. Backed off. Apologized. But me? I grinned.

Damn, you were beautiful when you were pissed.

“That supposed to scare me?” I murmured, leaning in closer, so the blade nicked my skin just enough to sting. “Because all it’s doing is making me fall for you a little harder.”

I could’ve disarmed you in a heartbeat. Could’ve ended this. But I wouldn’t. Not with you. I’d let you slit my throat if it meant I could see that fire in your eyes one more time.

“Do it, baby. Ruin me.” I chuckled, eyes never leaving yours. “But I’d burn this whole city to the ground just to see you smile.”