The ballroom glittered with crystal chandeliers and Lagos elite dripping in diamonds. Elara stood on Logan's arm in a backless emerald gown that hugged every curve. Cameras flashed as they made their entrance—Nigeria's newest power couple.
"You look like sin," Logan murmured against her ear, hand possessive at the small of her back. "Try not to make me jealous tonight."
"Jealous?" She smiled sweetly. "I thought the great Wolverine didn't do emotions."
His grip tightened. "For you? I do a lot of things I shouldn't."
The night started perfectly. They danced, bodies pressed close, the chemistry so electric guests whispered. But then Victor Adeyemi—Logan's slick rival CEO—cut in for a dance.
"Mind if I borrow your lovely wife, Kane?" Victor's smile didn't reach his eyes.
Logan's jaw ticked, but he let go. As Victor spun Elara across the floor, he leaned in. "You know what he is, don't you? The experiments never stopped. He's a ticking time bomb."
Elara's heart stuttered. "I know enough."
Before she could pull away, a sharp crack split the air. A gunshot. The crowd screamed.
Logan moved like lightning. He tackled Elara to the floor, covering her body with his as another shot rang out. Pain flared in his shoulder—he'd taken the bullet meant for her.
"Logan!" she gasped.
He grunted, blood soaking his tux, but the wound was already closing. "Stay down."
Security swarmed. Logan rose, shielding her, eyes scanning for the shooter. In the chaos, he spotted the assassin slipping toward an exit. Claws itched to come out, but cameras were everywhere.
He kissed Elara hard in front of the flashing phones—part performance, part desperate need. "Act normal. We're leaving."
They fled to the Maybach. Inside, Elara pressed her hands to his bloody shirt, feeling the skin already smooth beneath. "You took a bullet for me."
"I'd take a hundred." His voice was raw. He cupped her face, thumb tracing her lip. "This stopped being fake the moment I kissed you in the study."
The car sped into the night. Behind them, Victor watched from the gala steps, phone to his ear, smile cold.
Elara leaned into Logan's side, heart racing with fear and a growing, addictive heat. "I'm not running, Logan. Not from you. Not from this."
His arm wrapped around her tighter. The beast inside purred in approval.