Chapter 211 Nia

• The side room was dim, lit by a single lamp, heavy drapes blocking the night. Bookshelves loomed, a leather sofa squat in the corner. Vardo released her with a shove, spinning to face her, chest heaving. 'You did this, didn't you? Leaked it to bury me.' His face twisted, rage boiling over, eyes wild. Nia backed against the wall, heart pounding, but fire met his. 'Me? You're delusional. This is your mess—shady deals blowing up because you can't keep your hands clean.' She jabbed back, voice low and venomous, stepping into his space despite the tremor in her legs.
• He loomed closer, towering, the scent of scotch and cologne invading her senses. 'Bullshit. You've been dodging me, whispering in Vince's ear, turning him against his own blood.' His hand shot out, slamming the wall beside her head, caging her. Heat radiated from his body, inches away, his breath ragged. Nia's pulse thundered, anger surging hot through her veins, but beneath it, that treacherous spark—the elevator graze, the dream's brutal thrusts—stirred. 'Get off me,' she snarled, shoving his chest, palms flat against muscle that didn't yield.
• Vardo grabbed her wrists, pinning them above her head with one massive hand, his body pressing flush against hers. 'You think you can sabotage me and walk away? I'll ruin you first.' His free hand gripped her jaw, forcing her eyes to his, thumb digging into her cheek. Rage crackled between them, electric, her breaths coming fast against his lips. She twisted, knee jerking up, but he anticipated, thigh wedging between hers, pinning her harder. 'Fight all you want,' he growled, face dipping closer, 'but you want this as bad as I do.'