Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: Pulse of Temptation

The air in the safe house was thick with the aftermath of their passion, a heady mix of sweat and whiskey clinging to Elena's skin as she gripped the handgun Dominic had given her. Her heart pounded, not just from the lingering heat of their encounter but from the chilling reality displayed on the security monitors—a black SUV idling outside, its presence a silent promise of violence. Dominic stood beside her, his bare torso glistening in the dim light, the rifle in his hands a stark reminder of the life he led. His jaw was set, eyes narrowed as he studied the feed, calculating their next move."We've got maybe five minutes before they breach," he said, his voice a low growl as he slipped into a black tactical vest, the straps pulling taut over his broad shoulders. He handed her a knife, its blade gleaming with deadly intent. "If it comes to it, use this. Aim for the throat or the gut—don't hesitate."Elena nodded, her fingers tightening around the knife's handle. She wasn't a stranger to violence, not since she'd chosen to love a man like Dominic Russo. But the reality of their situation—the mafia's relentless pursuit, the blood already spilled—hit her like a tidal wave. She pushed the fear down, letting it fuel her resolve. "What's the plan?" she asked, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.Dominic's gaze flicked to her, and for a moment, the hardness in his eyes softened. "We get out through the back. There's a car in the garage—armored, fast. We'll head to my secondary safe house in the suburbs. I've got men there who can help." He stepped closer, his hand cupping her cheek, thumb brushing over her lips. "I won't let anything happen to you, Elena. I swear it."The sincerity in his voice, the raw edge of protectiveness, made her heart ache. She leaned into his touch, her lips brushing his palm. "I know," she whispered, and then, because she couldn't help herself, she pulled him into a kiss. It was brief but fierce, a clash of lips that tasted of desperation and defiance. His hands tightened on her waist, pulling her closer for a heartbeat before he stepped back, the soldier in him taking over."Let's move," he said, leading her through a hidden door behind the bar. The garage was a stark contrast to the safe house's luxury—concrete floors, a single overhead light, and a matte black SUV that looked more like a tank than a car. Dominic tossed the rifle into the backseat and slid into the driver's side, motioning for her to get in. She climbed into the passenger seat, the leather cool against her thighs, and secured the knife in her boot, the gun still in her hand.The garage door rattled open, and Dominic floored the accelerator, the SUV roaring into the alley. Tires screeched as he took a sharp turn, the vehicle's weight absorbing the impact as they barreled through the narrow streets. Elena glanced at the side mirror, her stomach dropping as she saw two more SUVs giving chase, their headlights cutting through the night like predator's eyes."They're gaining," she said, her voice tight as she checked the gun's magazine. Eight rounds. She'd have to make them count.Dominic's hands tightened on the wheel, his knuckles white. "Hold on," he said, and then he yanked the wheel hard, sending the car into a dizzying spin. Elena braced herself against the door as they skidded into a side street, the sound of gunfire erupting behind them. Bullets pinged off the armored exterior, each impact a jolt to her nerves.He drove with a reckless precision, weaving through traffic with the skill of someone who'd done this before. But their pursuers were relentless, one of the SUVs pulling up alongside them. The tinted window rolled down, revealing a man with a scar across his cheek, his automatic weapon aimed directly at them. Elena didn't think—she raised her gun and fired, the recoil jarring her arm. The man's head snapped back, blood spraying across the window as the SUV swerved and crashed into a lamppost."Good shot," Dominic said, his voice a mix of pride and tension as he floored the gas, putting distance between them and the second vehicle. But the reprieve was short-lived. The remaining SUV rammed into their rear, the impact throwing Elena forward, her seatbelt biting into her shoulder."Enough of this," Dominic growled, his eyes darting to the rearview mirror. He slammed on the brakes, the sudden stop forcing their pursuers to swerve. In one fluid motion, he grabbed the rifle, kicked open his door, and fired a burst of rounds into the enemy vehicle. The windshield shattered, and the SUV veered off, crashing into a dumpster with a sickening crunch.Elena's breath came in short gasps as Dominic slid back into the driver's seat, his face a mask of controlled fury. "We're clear," he said, but his tone held no relief, only the promise of more to come. He drove in silence for the next twenty minutes, the city giving way to quieter suburban streets, until they pulled into the driveway of a modest two-story house, its windows dark.Inside, the safe house was a fortress disguised as a home—steel-reinforced walls, a panic room, and a cache of weapons hidden behind a false panel in the living room. Dominic's men were already there, three of them, their faces hard and loyal. He gave them quick orders—secure the perimeter, monitor the feeds, be ready to move—and then turned to Elena, his expression softening as he pulled her into his arms."You're incredible," he murmured, his lips brushing her forehead. "I don't deserve you."She looked up at him, her hands sliding up his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "You don't get to decide that," she said, her voice low, laced with a need that hadn't dimmed despite the danger. The adrenaline still coursed through her, amplifying every touch, every glance. She pulled him down into a kiss, slow and deep, her tongue teasing his as her fingers worked the straps of his vest, peeling it off.Dominic groaned, his hands roaming her body, slipping under her dress to grip her hips. "We shouldn't," he said, but his voice was rough with desire, his resolve crumbling as she pressed herself closer. "My men are right outside.""Then be quiet," she whispered, her lips curving into a wicked smile as she tugged him toward the couch. He didn't resist, his hands lifting her dress over her head, leaving her in nothing but her black lace underwear. The cool air hit her skin, but his touch was fire, his fingers tracing the curve of her spine as he kissed a path down her neck, her collarbone, her breasts.She arched into him, her breath hitching as his teeth grazed her sensitive skin, his hands sliding down to cup her thighs, pulling her onto his lap. The hardness of him pressed against her, and she rocked her hips, drawing a low moan from his throat. "Elena," he growled, his voice a warning, but she didn't stop, her fingers working the button of his pants, freeing him.Their movements were urgent, driven by the raw edge of survival, the knowledge that they'd come so close to losing each other. He entered her with a thrust that made her gasp, her nails digging into his shoulders as they found a rhythm, fast and desperate. The couch creaked beneath them, the sound swallowed by the heavy silence of the safe house, but neither cared. It was just them, their bodies a language of need and love, speaking what words couldn't.As they reached their peak, Elena buried her face in his neck, muffling her cry as waves of pleasure crashed over her. Dominic held her tight, his own release a shuddering breath against her skin, his hands gentle now, tracing lazy circles on her back. They stayed like that for a long moment, their breathing syncing, the world outside fading to a distant hum.But reality crept back in, as it always did. Dominic's phone buzzed, and he reached for it, his expression darkening as he read the message. "It's Marco," he said, referring to his second-in-command. "He's got intel on the attack. It's worse than I thought."Elena sat up, pulling her dress back on, her mind sharpening. "What is it?"Dominic's jaw clenched, his eyes cold with a fury she hadn't seen before. "The attack wasn't just about me. They're after you, too. Someone in my circle sold us out—and they're coming for us both."The words hung heavy between them, a new threat that tightened the knot in Elena's chest. But as she looked at Dominic, his hand reaching for hers, she knew one thing for certain: whatever came next, they'd face it together. The pulse of temptation had brought them here, and it would carry them through the fire.