Chapter 1 The Beginning of Chaos

The music thumped through the club like a heartbeat, deep and relentless. Bodies moved in sync with the bass, the neon lights casting a feverish glow over the dance floor. Dominic Hayes leaned against the VIP railing, whiskey glass in hand, surveying the crowd below with a cool detachment.

To anyone watching, he looked like the epitome of control a billionaire who had everything. But beneath the carefully composed mask, tension coiled in his gut.

"Your usual brooding look isn't going to scare them off, you know."

Dominic didn't need to turn to recognize the voice. Julian Carter, his closest friend and occasional pain in the ass, slid into the seat next to him.

Dominic exhaled, barely hiding his irritation. "I'm not brooding. I'm observing."

Julian smirked. "Observing what? Drunk millionaires making bad decisions?"

Dominic didn't answer. His attention had been captured by something or rather, someone on the dance floor. A woman.

She moved like she belonged there, like she didn't have a care in the world, and yet Dominic sensed something beneath the surface. Her long, dark hair framed a striking face, and her red dress clung to her body like a second skin. But it was her eyes sharp and assessing despite the playful smile she wore that held his interest.

Julian followed his gaze and let out a low whistle. "Damn. You've got good taste."

Dominic ignored him. Something about her didn't fit the scene. She wasn't just here for fun. She was watching, just like he was.

Alyssa Rowan felt the weight of someone's gaze on her before she even turned. Years of experience had sharpened her instincts, and right now, they were screaming at her.

Slowly, she pivoted, scanning the upper levels of the club. Her eyes landed on a man who looked like he had stepped out of a billionaire's playbook tailored suit, whiskey in hand, an air of quiet authority. He was watching her with unnerving intensity.

Damn it.

Alyssa forced herself to keep moving, swaying to the beat, pretending not to care. But internally, her mind raced. If he had spotted her, did that mean others had, too?

She wasn't here for fun. She was here on a job.

And she had no intention of letting some rich guy ruin it.

The night stretched on, and Dominic found himself unable to ignore the woman in red. Every time she moved, he caught glimpses of something familiar awareness, calculation. She was too controlled for someone just here to party.

When she finally stepped away from the dance floor and towards the exit, Dominic stood without thinking.

Julian arched an eyebrow. "You're actually going after her?"

Dominic didn't answer. He moved through the club with quiet efficiency, following her out into the cool night air.

Alyssa had barely made it down the alley when she heard footsteps behind her.

She reacted instantly. Spinning on her heel, she reached into her coat, ready to draw the knife she kept concealed.

"Whoa."

The deep voice made her pause. The billionaire. He held his hands up in mock surrender, but his gaze remained locked onto hers, unreadable.

"You following me, Mr. Billionaire?" she asked coolly.

Dominic tilted his head slightly. "You weren't exactly subtle in there."

Alyssa forced a smile. "And here I thought I was blending in just fine."

Dominic stepped closer, unbothered by the tension crackling in the air. "You don't belong in that club. Not for the reason everyone else does."

Alyssa's heart pounded, but she kept her expression neutral. "And what reason would that be?"

He didn't blink. "You were watching someone."

Her blood ran cold. Was he working for them?

Before she could decide how to respond, a sudden noise cut through the quiet.

Gunfire.

Dominic reacted fast, shoving Alyssa against the brick wall just as bullets tore through the alley. She felt the impact of his body pressing against hers, shielding her as chaos erupted around them.

"Shit," she hissed. "Who the hell did you piss off?"

Dominic didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed her wrist. "Move."

They sprinted through the alley as more bullets rained down. Alyssa didn't know who was attacking, but one thing was clear:

She and Dominic were now in this together.