His Lethal Prize

bent slightly as he spoke to a group of men

ed in a silent battle of wills. Phoenix felt a shiver run down her spine as he held her gaze, an intensity radiating from him that both thrilled and terr

was

at would chan

ely responded, their bodies swaying to the hypnotic beat as they began a choreographed dance, moving gracefully yet sensually, their steps

ng, the subservient glances she could manage, but this? Dancing for these men while they discussed deals and exchanges? It w

between seduction and restraint, her every move measured. While the rhythm pulsed through the room, Phoenix's mind remained sharp, calculating. She kept her eye on August, w

in their conversation, paying little mind to the dancing wo

authoritative. "We've secured passage through our contacts in St. Petersburg. Discreet

have been getting impatient. We need to expand the supply chain. They're aski

"What about the government oversight? We've had a few leaks lately-the

er through the dance, her movements fluid but deliberate. He was studying her, and Phoenix could feel it-like he was peeling

s. Phoenix noticed him approaching from the corner of her eye,

ou," the subordinate said, hi

she couldn't afford to show her nerves. She played her part, nodding meekly as though she was n

he felt the weight of his presence-up close, it was even more intense. August leaned back in his seat, his fingers lightly drumming on the armrest of the chair. He beckoned her with a single curl of his index finger, the

moved as he said in a voice low enough to be hea

arried authority, each word clear as if

t yet. Around them, the room carried on as if this interaction was ordinary. The other

ently, the cartel is facing resistance from a rival group. They want the guns t

stares on her. Envy. It was thick in the air. She cou

spered harshly. "She's a newbie. She do

g nearby. "We've been here longer. And she just walks i

nish her venomous comment, a su

ther subordinate, who calmly lowered his gun. He had fired without hesitation, his target clear: the redhead who had been mou

The only noise was the ragged breathing of the redhead's partner, who stood trembling beside h

lifeless body, tears streaking down his face. But even then, not a single person dared

s attention entirely focused on Phoenix. His smirk deepened slightly, his eyes gl

ad seen worse. Done worse. But as she looked into August's eyes, s

And she was d

ssion was clear. Eliminate him, and Gavin would finally hand over the antidote to the poison slowly eating away at her insides. But

sessive. His fingers dug into her skin, forcing her to focus on him. Her mind scra

August asked, his vo

rd by the intensity of his presence. She could feel the weight of his power, the raw dan

d and managed to

his voice cold as ice. His hand tightened on her waist, making her wince. "I could kil

e looked into his eyes. For a brief moment, she imagined how easily August could end her life withou

hoenix. She needed to play this carefully. Her entire mission depen

to a smirk, and he leaned back in his chair, his grip on her waist loosening slightly. "That's bett

ave. Without question, they gathered their things and exited, leaving Phoenix alone with

b and disappear into the night. But no-he stayed seated, and they were still in the middle of the casino lounge. Her instincts screamed that something was off. Suddenly, Augus

pat, her voice shaking slightly desp

igh, where her small dagger was strapped. His fingers brushed the cool leath

s if the very idea of her trying to take his life was a joke. He pulled the dagger from her thi

've been wai