E

t than they actually were. The air was thick with perfume, wine, and the smooth melodies of a string quartet tucked neatl

eading me-some banker whose name I can't be bothered to remember-chatted on about business mergers and property in

I could

ey

ni

ther-not as the billionaire people whispered about, the man who had more power in his signature than most governmen

ice, though every nerv

fast, too loud, even as I kept smil

niel was su

, no polite request-just a voice that le

ompete. And then Daniel was holding me, one hand warm against my waist, th

raced, be

ips near my ear, his breath

urmured back, pressing closer, wrapping myself around him as if this wer

drawing me even closer, so close we looked indecent under the chand

ing again," he said softly, almos

enough to tease, though his grip di

he pressed. "

jaw as I whispered, "Why?" My voice was smoot

was affected, though

, almost as if it pained him to say it

nd playful. "Are you sure you'r

ke da

hispered, flashing him a smile t

. His fingers dug just slightly into my waist,

mystery for

me," he challenged, e

silent. The silence

ld bite first. His hand slid lower, dangerously close. At first, I

he

slit of my dress, stroking th

through me-then irritation. I tried to push him back, but

d the lace edge of my panties. A soft, unwanted sound escaped me, a moan slipping past my lips befo

ghtly, his expression unreadable, but his eyes glow

e low, almost fascinated. "How di

glared at him, my sile

my stomach tighten, not with fear but wi

to get

st, pulling me back, his voice dropping

ued and I don't intend to let go. I'll do whatever it takes to have you. To marry you. To see you carry my children.

frightened me. Shoul

they left

eath ragged, my head spinning. Without a word, I walked away. He

on. Focus. This wasn't about

d. I was that good at what I did. By tomorrow morning, the newspapers

nd. The night air was cool, sharp, and grounding. I replayed the evening in my

should have been worried. In

ous for his own good. But some part of me, buried deep,

lear. If they knew about Daniel, if they suspected he was sniffing around

e buzzed. A

or you. They're powerful. Did y

head throbbed. I did

ni

ing my wine. Tomorrow

ing at the city lights that shimmered below like a thousan

ile, half-grimace. If only my

ce, one conversation, and already his men were sniffing around for me. It should've made me fur

softly; the sound was c

meant he wa

. I thought it was just talk, words whispered in the haze of attraction

ngerous. Fo

ime in years, I felt something unfamiliar-unease. My jobs never shook me. My kil

my thoughts. His eyes, his touch, the way he spoke like he ha

d've ha

butterflies. Act

ed at myself. "You're losing it, Rebel," I muttered

ur heart race when you remembered the way their fingers grazed your waist, your

erous becau

sk. Not th

xactly why I h

gain, typing a quick

ry. I'll h

ut Daniel, the better. If the organisation caught even a hint of his int

e that would be b

idn't w

survival, about assignments, about finishing jobs and walking away without looking back.

the cars that streamed like veins through the city. "

t except for the hu

d air finally seeped into my bones. By the time I

d to di

t for a

Newspapers ran photos of the old man I'd taken down, splashing headlines ab

polished news, ther

spe

mo

ith a mystery woman in red.

That was the problem with men like Daniel-they drew att

ain. Another messa

hey're not backing down. Th

hut, shoving it aside

. Again. A

he thread and unravelled everything I'd built. But another part-darker, reckless-wa

words, whispered like

you. Own you, ruin you and make you. So I apologis

, but from recognition. B

, I wasn't sure if I wanted to ru

glass of wine was gone, replaced with nothing but the wind in my hair and the

ate from the organisation. I told myse

aiting

again, if his reach would stretch even

me. My phone buzzed in m

e, only

nd y