Niklaus' POV:

The stack of documents on my desk had been sitting there, untouched, for hours. Normally, I would have finished reviewing them long ago, but today, my focus was elsewhere. My thoughts were consumed by her—the girl I had saved. The girl I couldn't get out of my head.

Stacy.

Her name echoed in my mind like a haunting melody, the memory of her bruised and bloodied face refusing to fade. Even now, weeks later, I could still see her lying there, unconscious yet radiating a strength that captivated me. She was a mystery I couldn't unravel, and it was driving me insane.

The door to my office creaked open, pulling me from my thoughts. Elijah, my right-hand man and Elliot's older brother, stepped inside. His usual calm demeanor was tinged with something more serious today, and I knew he had noticed my distraction.

"Klaus," he greeted, his voice steady as always. "We've got intel on the Irish. They're making moves, consolidating power. It looks like they're gearing up for something big."

The Irish. The ones responsible for Stacy's injuries. The thought made my blood boil, but I forced myself to focus on what Elijah was saying. Normally, this kind of information would have my full attention. After all, I was the one who had to ensure our enemies stayed in line. But right now, I couldn't muster the energy to care. All I could think about was her.

"What kind of move?" I asked, my voice sounding distant even to my own ears.

Elijah handed me a folder, watching me closely. "They're forming alliances with smaller gangs, possibly planning a coordinated attack. We need to be ready."

I opened the folder, scanning the contents. The words blurred together as my mind drifted back to Stacy. I'd been getting updates from Elliot, secret messages that let me know how she was recovering. But it wasn't enough. I needed to see her for myself, to know that she was truly okay.

"You're distracted," Elijah observed, his tone careful. "You've been off ever since that night, Klaus. You're not yourself."

I looked up, meeting his gaze. Elijah had been with me for years, through some of the bloodiest battles and most dangerous situations. He knew me better than anyone, which meant he also knew when something was wrong.

"I'm fine," I lied, setting the folder aside. "The Irish are the priority. We need to figure out their next move."

"You're not fine," Elijah countered, his voice gentle but firm. "You haven't been the same since you found that girl. It's obvious to everyone."

I clenched my jaw, frustration bubbling up inside me. "What would you have me do, Elijah? Her brothers don't want me anywhere near her. That would start a fucling war that we aren't prepared for."

Elijah raised an eyebrow, unfazed by my tone. "Since when have you cared about what other people want? You're Niklaus Ivanov. You've never let anyone tell you what you can or can't do."

"It's different with her," I admitted quietly, more to myself than to him.

"How so?" Elijah pressed, genuinely curious.

I didn't answer immediately, the words catching in my throat. How could I explain the pull she had on me? The way I couldn't stop thinking about her, even though it made no sense. She was just a girl—a girl who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was more than that.

Elijah watched me for a moment before sighing. "Maybe you need to see her, Klaus. Get this out of your system. Whatever it is, it's clearly affecting you, and you can't afford to be distracted right now."

"I can't," I said, frustration lacing my voice. "Her brothers... they'll kill me if they even suspect I've been near her."

"Then don't give them a reason to suspect," Elijah suggested. "You've never been one to back down from a challenge. Why start now?"

I knew he was right. I couldn't go on like this, torn between my duties and this inexplicable need to see her. But the thought of facing her brothers, of possibly starting a war because I couldn't stay away, made me hesitate.

Before I could dwell on it any longer, my phone buzzed on the desk. I grabbed it, hoping for a distraction. It was a text from Elliot, as expected.

"She's getting stronger," the message read. "Stubborn as always, trying to push herself too hard. Typical Stacy."

A small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth despite myself. Stubborn. Just like me. But the smile quickly faded, replaced by the familiar frustration that had been gnawing at me for days. I couldn't keep doing this—waiting for updates, wondering if she was okay. I needed to see her, to understand why she had such a hold on me.

Without thinking, I dialed Elliot's number. He answered almost immediately.

"Klaus," he greeted, his voice cautious.

"Elliot," I responded, trying to keep my voice steady. "How is she?"

"She's... doing well," he said carefully. "She's recovering, but she's pushing herself too hard. You know how she is."

"I need to see her," I said, cutting to the chase. "This has gone on long enough."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and I could almost hear Elliot weighing his options. Finally, he sighed. "Her brothers won't like it."

"I don't care what they like," I snapped, the frustration boiling over. "This isn't about them. It's about her. I need to see her, Elliot."

Elliot hesitated before finally relenting. "Alright. But you'll need to be careful. If her brothers find out..."

"I'll handle her brothers," I said coldly. "Just make sure she's ready to see me."

Elliot agreed, and we ended the call. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I was done waiting. I needed to see her, to understand why she had become such an obsession for me.

Elijah watched me, his expression unreadable. "You're really going to do this, aren't you?"

"I don't have a choice," I muttered, more to myself than to him. "I can't get her out of my head, Elijah. I need to know why."

Elijah nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "Just be careful, Klaus. The De Angelo brothers are dangerous, and they won't hesitate to come after you if they think you're a threat."

"I know," I said, the weight of his words settling over me. "But I can't let that stop me. I need to see her."

And with that, I made up my mind. I was going to see Stacy, no matter what it took. And God help anyone who tried to stand in my way.

The triplets' estate was like a fortress—beautiful, well-guarded, and built to intimidate. I found myself walking through its grand halls, my footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors. The place exuded opulence, its splendor designed to showcase their wealth and power. Normally, such displays would amuse me. I'd built an empire of my own—one that rivaled the best—but tonight, none of it impressed me.

I wasn't here for power, or wealth, or dominance. I was here for her.

Stacy.

Even the thought of her name sent a surge of emotion through me—emotions I had no business feeling. I'd saved plenty of people before. It was part of the game, a calculated move to secure alliances, to gain leverage. But Stacy... she wasn't like the others. She wasn't a pawn, a piece on the chessboard of my life.

She was something else entirely. And that terrified me.

As I reached her room, I paused. The door was slightly ajar, a sliver of light spilling into the dark hallway. I hesitated for a moment, my hand hovering over the doorframe. I'd been thinking about this moment for weeks—imagining how I would confront her, what I would say. But now, standing here, the weight of uncertainty pressed down on me.

I pushed the door open slowly and slipped inside.

The room was bathed in soft moonlight, casting long shadows across the floor. I could make out the delicate rise and fall of her chest as she slept, her face peaceful despite the bruises that marred her skin. She looked fragile, but I knew better. Stacy was anything but fragile.

I moved closer, my steps silent as I approached her bedside. I didn't know why I was here—what I hoped to accomplish by watching her sleep. Maybe it was the mystery of her, the way she seemed to be one thing but was actually something else entirely. Or maybe it was the way she'd looked at me the last time I was here, her eyes filled with defiance and something darker, something that made my blood run hot.

As I stood over her, I felt a pull—a need to touch her, to reassure myself that she was real. But before I could even think about reaching out, her eyes snapped open.

In an instant, she was up, moving faster than I thought possible. Suddenly, I felt the cool press of a blade against my throat.

"Who the hell are you?" she demanded, her voice low and deadly, her eyes flashing with fury. "And why are you in my room?"

For a moment, I was too surprised to respond. I hadn't expected her to react like this, but then again, I should have known better. Stacy De Angelo was no damsel in distress.

A smirk tugged at the corners of my lips. "Klaus," I murmured, my voice soft and amused. "The one who saved your life, though I'm starting to think you're not all that grateful."

Her eyes narrowed, the blade pressing harder against my skin. "Grateful?" she scoffed. "You sneak into my room in the middle of the night, and you think I should thank you?"

"Considering the alternative was bleeding out in an alley, yes," I said with a chuckle, unfazed by the blade at my throat.

She leaned in closer, her breath hot against my neck. "Maybe I don't like being in debt to anyone."

I felt a spark of something dangerous—something primal. "What exactly do you think I'm here to take, Stacy?"

Her lips curled into a wicked smile, her eyes gleaming with challenge. "Whatever it is, you're not going to get it. I'm not one of your conquests. You're in my territory now."

The challenge in her voice, the defiance in her posture—it only made me want her more. I reached up slowly, my fingers brushing against her wrist. Her pulse was fast, thrumming beneath her skin.

"Is that so?" I murmured, my voice low and dangerous.

Her smile widened, but she didn't move away. "You don't know a damn thing about me, Klaus."

"Then maybe you should enlighten me," I said, taking a step closer.

But before she could respond, the door swung open with a sharp creak. I turned my head slightly, just in time to see Noah standing in the doorway, his eyes narrowing at the sight before him.

"What the hell is going on here?" he demanded, his voice cold and hard.

Stacy pulled away from me, lowering the knife but not backing down. "Nothing," she said smoothly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Just a friendly little chat."

"With a knife to his throat?" Noah asked, his suspicion clear.

Stacy smirked, her eyes flashing. "Let's just say Klaus here needs to learn some boundaries."

I chuckled softly, meeting her gaze. "This isn't over, Stacy."

She didn't respond, but the look in her eyes told me everything I needed to know. This was far from over.

As I turned to leave, I could feel Noah's eyes burning into my back. He didn't say anything, but his silence spoke volumes. The De Angelo brothers were dangerous, and they wouldn't hesitate to come after me if they thought I was a threat to their sister.

But as I left the estate, the weight of their warnings barely registered. All I could think about was Stacy. She was a challenge I wasn't prepared for, but one I couldn't resist. She thought she could keep me at arm's length, that she could control the situation. But she was wrong.

I had no intention of walking away from this.

Stacy's POV:

The nerve of that man.

I paced the length of my room, my mind racing. Klaus Ivanov—what the hell was he doing here? Sneaking into my room in the middle of the night like some kind of thief. He had no right.

And yet... the way he'd looked at me, the way his presence had made my skin tingle with a mix of anger and something I didn't want to acknowledge—it had shaken me.

I'd heard stories about Niklaus Ivanov. Everyone had. He was ruthless, powerful, a man who took what he wanted without asking permission. And I'd seen that firsthand when he saved me from those Irish bastards. But I wasn't some damsel in distress. I didn't need saving, and I certainly didn't need him.

"Stacy."

Noah's voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest.

"What?" I snapped, more out of frustration with myself than with him.

"What the hell was that?" he asked, his voice tight with concern.

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Nothing I couldn't handle."

"Stacy, that's Klaus Ivanov," Noah said, his tone serious. "You know what he's capable of. What was he doing here?"

"I don't know," I muttered, brushing past him. "But whatever it is, I'll handle it."

Noah grabbed my arm, stopping me. "I don't like him being around you."

I pulled my arm free, meeting his gaze with a hard glare. "Don't be. I'm not some delicate flower, Noah. I don't need you or anyone else protecting me."

Noah's expression softened, but his worry was still there. "You might not need protecting, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful. Klaus isn't someone to mess around with."

"I know who he is," I said, my voice firm. "But I'm not afraid of him."

That wasn't entirely true. There was something about Klaus that unsettled me, something I couldn't quite put into words. He was dangerous, yes, but it wasn't his power or reputation that scared me. It was the way he looked at me—as if he could see right through the walls I'd spent years building.

And that terrified me more than anything.

As Noah left the room, I sank onto the edge of the bed, my mind still racing. Klaus was a problem—a problem I couldn't afford to have. I had bigger things to worry about, like the Irish and whatever they were planning.

But as much as I tried to focus on the bigger picture, my thoughts kept drifting back to Klaus. The way he'd looked at me, the way he'd challenged me—it was like a fire that I couldn't put out.

I didn't want to admit it, but part of me was drawn to him. And that was dangerous. I couldn't afford to be distracted by someone like Klaus Ivanov. I needed to stay in control. Control was everything.

But with Klaus, control was starting to slip through my fingers.

Niklaus' POV

As I stepped into my office, the familiar weight of power and responsibility settled over me, but it felt heavier tonight. Elijah was waiting for me, his expression unreadable. He didn't say anything as I walked past him, my mind still reeling from the encounter with Stacy.

I sank into my chair, rubbing a hand over my face. The tension in my body hadn't dissipated—it was still there, coiled tight in my chest. Stacy was like a storm, unpredictable and dangerous, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being pulled into something I couldn't control.

"Everything go according to plan?" Elijah asked, breaking the silence.

I let out a humorless chuckle. "Hardly."

Elijah raised an eyebrow. "I take it she wasn't exactly thrilled to see you?"

"Thrilled isn't the word I'd use," I muttered, leaning back in my chair. "She pulled a knife on me."

Elijah's lips twitched into a slight smile. "Sounds like her."

"She's more of a challenge than I anticipated," I admitted, my mind drifting back to the way she'd stood there, defiant and unafraid. She was different from anyone I'd ever met. I'd expected fear, maybe even gratitude, but Stacy had given me neither.

"Good or bad?" Elijah asked, his tone careful.

I didn't answer right away, my thoughts tangled in the complexity of what I was feeling. "Both," I finally said. "She's hiding something. I can feel it."

"And that concerns you?" Elijah pressed.

I hesitated, my fingers drumming against the desk. Yes, it concerned me. Stacy was a wild card, and I didn't like uncertainty. But there was something else, something deeper that I couldn't ignore.

"I'll find out what she's hiding," I said, more to myself than to Elijah.

Elijah nodded, his expression understanding. "Just be careful, Klaus. The De Angelo brothers are already on edge. You don't want to provoke them."

"I know," I said, my mind already turning over the possibilities. But even as I spoke, I knew that walking away wasn't an option. Stacy had gotten under my skin in a way that no one else ever had, and I wasn't about to let her slip away without finding out why.

As the night wore on, I found myself staring out the window, the city lights twinkling below. Stacy was a challenge, and I thrived on challenges. But this one was different. This one was personal.

And that made her dangerous.

But as dangerous as she was, I couldn't stay away.

Not now. Not ever.

Stacy's POV

I spent the next day trying to push Klaus Ivanov out of my mind, but it was impossible. No matter what I did—training, meetings, planning with my brothers—the thought of him lingered, like a shadow I couldn't shake.

The sun was setting when I finally allowed myself a moment of stillness. I stood on the balcony of my room, staring out at the horizon as the sky turned shades of pink and gold. The cool evening breeze brushed against my skin, but it did little to calm the storm inside me.

I hated feeling like this. I hated the way Klaus had gotten under my skin, the way he seemed to see right through me. I'd spent years building walls, perfecting the art of control, and in one night, he'd managed to shake that control.

A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Noah standing there, his face serious.

"We need to talk," he said, stepping onto the balcony with me.

I nodded, already knowing what was coming.

"We can't afford to have distractions right now, Stacy," Noah said, his voice careful but firm. "The Irish are making moves, and we need to be ready."

"I know," I said, my voice quiet.

"Then what's going on with you and Klaus?" Noah asked, his gaze searching my face. "Because whatever it is, it's not good."

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to snap at him. Noah meant well—he always did—but this wasn't something he could fix.

"There's nothing going on," I said, though the words felt like a lie even to me.

Noah didn't look convinced, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he sighed and leaned against the railing. "Just be careful, okay? Klaus isn't someone you can trust."

I nodded, though in my heart, I wasn't so sure.

Could I trust Klaus? Could I trust myself around him?

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in darkness, I realized that I didn't have an answer.

And that scared me more than anything.

Niklaus' POV

It was late by the time I finally made my decision. I couldn't keep dancing around this, couldn't keep pretending that Stacy De Angelo was just another challenge. She was more than that, and I needed to confront her—once and for all.

The estate was quiet as I made my way through the halls, my footsteps silent. I didn't bother knocking this time. I pushed open the door to her room and stepped inside, my gaze locking on her the moment I entered.

Stacy was standing by the window, her back to me. She didn't turn when she heard me enter, but I knew she was aware of my presence.

"We need to talk," I said, my voice low.

She didn't respond immediately, but after a moment, she sighed and turned to face me. Her eyes were cold, guarded, but there was something else there too—something that made my pulse quicken.

"I don't have time for this, Klaus," she said, her voice sharp. "I have bigger problems to deal with."

"Like the Irish?" I asked, stepping closer. "Or are you just trying to avoid what's happening between us?"

Her eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a sneer. "There's nothing happening between us."

I chuckled softly, closing the distance between us. "You're lying, Stacy."

Her jaw clenched, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "You don't know me, Klaus. You don't know a damn thing about me."

"I know enough," I said, my voice calm but firm. "I know you're scared—scared of what this means. Scared of losing control."

Her eyes flashed with anger, but she didn't deny it.

"Maybe I am," she admitted, her voice quiet but fierce. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to let you walk all over me."

I reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't want to walk over you, Stacy. I just want to understand."

She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. For a moment, I saw a flicker of vulnerability, something raw and unguarded. But it was gone as quickly as it came.

"I don't need your understanding," she said, her voice hardening again.

I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against her ear as I whispered, "Then what do you need, Stacy?"

For a moment, the air between us was thick with tension, neither of us willing to back down. But then, just as quickly as it had built, the tension shattered.

Stacy pulled away, her eyes blazing with fury.

"I need you to leave," she said, her voice cold and final.

I stared at her for a moment, the weight of her words settling over me like a heavy cloak. I knew this wasn't over—not by a long shot. But for now, I had no choice but to walk away.

As I turned to leave, I glanced back at her one last time.

"This isn't over, Stacy," I said softly.

She didn't respond, but the look in her eyes told me everything I needed to know.

This was far from over.

Stacy's POV

As Klaus left the room, the weight of his presence lingered like a storm cloud hanging over me. I stood by the window, staring out at the darkness, my mind racing with thoughts I didn't want to face.

He was right.

I was scared. Scared of what this meant, scared of losing control. I'd spent my entire life building walls, creating a fortress around myself, and now, with Klaus Ivanov, those walls were starting to crack.

But I couldn't afford to let them fall. Not now. Not ever.

With a deep breath, I turned away from the window and sat down on the edge of the bed. The weight of the day, of everything that had happened, pressed down on me like a crushing force.

But even as I tried to push Klaus out of my mind, I knew it was a losing battle.

He was already under my skin, and no matter how hard I fought, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

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A/n:

Longer chapter for you guys and maybe a double update if I finish chapter 35 soon!

Thankyou for reading I love you all so much!

If you have any ideas let me know!

WC: 4058