His Lethal Prize

tly, her voice cutting th

ed, sliding up next to her at the bar. He was dressed in a designer

oser than necessary. His breath smelled like whiskey and ci

as she sipped her champagne. "Not interested," she r

weetheart, don't be like that." He leaned in closer, his hand resting on the b

eed anything from you," she said, her voice colder this time. She was losing patie

ce. She glanced at him once more, her lips curling in

n hesitate. He stared at her for a moment, his confidence wavering. Then, w

er eyes scanning the room. This

around her. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, the air thick with laughter and the clinking of glasses. She sipped h

overheard a group of women nearby

s arrived!" one of them sque

er voice rising an octave. "He looks so h

third woman, her eyes sparkling with admiration, practica

e she couldn't ignore. As the chatter continued, she discreetly pulled out her phone, her fingers dancing acro

road shoulders that filled out his wine tuxedo perfectly. His brown hair was neatly styled, accentuating the sharp angles of his face.

atched him enter an elevator that descende

hts. She turned to see a man glaring at her, irritation etched across his featur

then she paused. Playing along could serve her purpose better tonight. She tucked h

st follow those two ladies with the masks

omen through the thrumming crowd, the energy growing increasingly electric as they made their way deeper into

ed her a black mask to wear. She slipped it on, concealing her

filled with laughter, the clattering of chips, and the intoxicating scent of high-stakes gambling. The atmosphere was charged with exc

him, to lay eyes on him before the moment of confrontation arrived. It didn't take long. There he was,

way he held himself that caught Phoenix's breath. He was striking, exuding an air of au

er whispered, her voice barely above the d

e with admiration. "Can you imagine? Just o

for him to notice me." "Seriously!" The second woman laughed. "If I could have just one dance with him, I'd die happy!" Ph

ze never l