You couldn’t stop looking at him, your voice barely above a whisper. “Protect me…”

Ni-ki’s eyes darkened instantly. His jaw clenched. He stepped closer, closing the space between you until the air felt electric.

“I’ll do anything,” you added, voice shaking. “Just… protect me from them.”

In one swift move, his hands shot out, pinning your wrists above your head against the wall. Your back pressed to the cool plaster, your breath catching.

“Don’t say things like that,” he growled, leaning closer so his chest almost touched yours. “Not to a man like me.”

Your heart pounded as you stared up at him, every inch of distance between you gone. His grip was strong but deliberate, his heat pressing into you.

“You know my reputation,” he murmured, voice low and rough. “You shouldn’t be tempting me like that.”

The room felt impossibly small. Tension coiled around both of you like fire. He tilted his head, lips almost brushing your ear.

“I said I’ll protect you,” he whispered, “…but not without consequences if you keep speaking like that.”