9

I stiffened. “I… don’t know what you’re talking about,” I stammered, looking away. How did he know? I was sure I’d kept my identity hidden. The mask, the careful misdirections—I’d made no mistakes, or so I thought.

But now, looking at him, I realized he knew exactly who I was.

“There are so many things I could’ve done to you that night,” Kai murmured, his cold fingers slipping deeper between my thighs, sending an involuntary shiver through me. I squeezed my eyes shut, desperate to hide just how much his touch was affecting me. This reaction was foreign—I’d given countless lap dances, numbing myself to any feeling. But here I was, on Kai’s lap, wrestling with emotions I hadn’t felt in years.

“Why… why didn’t you?” I heard myself ask, voice shaky. Immediately, I regretted it. It sounded needy, almost like I was inviting him in. His lips curved into a slow smirk as he pulled my dress back down, covering my thighs. I forced myself to meet his gaze, hoping he couldn’t see how unsteady I felt. His eyes, sharp and unnervingly beautiful, held mine without wavering, drawing me in despite my better judgment.

“You’re the most daring person I’ve met. People don’t usually look me in the eyes like that,” he said, his stare hard and calculating.

“What’s so special about your eyes that I shouldn’t look?” I challenged, letting my gaze linger as if daring him to blink first. But his patience snapped, and his hand closed around my throat, his grip firm but not choking.

“Careful,” I warned, keeping my voice steady as I placed my hand on his and slowly pushed it away. “You hurt me, and you might never see your money again. I know that’s the only reason I’m still breathing.”

Kai’s expression darkened, but he let go, looking slightly taken aback. “You’ll die the most painful death after I get what’s mine, I promise. I never break a promise.”

I forced myself to smile as I stood. “Doesn’t matter how I die. Either way, it’ll happen.” But I had a plan. “I’ve got things to do, Kai. So, unfortunately for you, I’m not ready to die just yet.” I lifted the gun I had taken from the table, pointing it directly at his face. He barely flinched.

“So, you’re going to shoot?” he asked, his tone flat and emotionless.

“No,” I replied, hands wrapped around the gun, determined to hold my ground. “I don’t shoot handsome young men without a good reason. Just let me go, and we won’t have to find out what happens next.”

Kai shook his head, a mocking glint in his eyes. “You don’t even look like you’d know how to pull the trigger, not with the way you’re holding it.” He stood, taking slow steps toward me.

“Stay back, or I’ll shoot!” I shouted, stepping back as my hands trembled, the gun wavering in my grip.

“Why so scared?” he mocked, still approaching. “This is your big chance to kill me and get away. But if I take that gun, I’ll be the one to use it.” His voice was maddeningly calm, shrugging as if my threat was trivial.

“What’s your problem? Just let me go!” I snapped, my back hitting the garden wall as he closed in.

“Easy,” he whispered, his face inches from mine. “Just pull the trigger. I’ll even give you ten seconds.”

My breath hitched as he counted down, closing the gap between us until the muzzle of the gun was pressed against his chest.

“Five… four… three… two…” His words cut off as I gritted my teeth, squeezed my eyes shut, and pulled the trigger.

The gunshot shattered the silence.

The click echoed in the garden, deafening in its silence. I stared at the gun, my heart dropping as I realized it was empty. No bullet. I glanced up at Kai, and any trace of surprise in his eyes vanished, replaced by an icy, calculating look.

"You failed, Amelia," he said, disappointment edging his voice. "I handed you the chance, and you couldn’t even seize it properly."

The gun fell from my hands, clattering uselessly to the ground. He had set me up, and I had fallen straight into his trap. I was defenseless now, exposed before him, my one shot wasted.

"You underestimated me." His voice was laced with smug superiority. "Did you really think I’d give you a loaded gun so easily? I just wanted to see if you had it in you to pull the trigger." He stepped closer, his stare making my skin crawl. "And you failed."

A cold realization washed over me. This was just a game to him. My pulse pounded as he closed the distance, his hand suddenly wrapping around my throat.

“You think I wouldn’t kill you over just five hundred million dollars?” he hissed, his grip tightening. I struggled against his hold, but just then, Carlos appeared, approaching him with urgency.

“Boss, We have a problem,” Carlos whispered, glancing at me briefly before speaking. Kai released me, but the threat in his gaze lingered.

“What’s the issue this time?” Kai asked, lighting a cigarette with a casual disdain that made my skin prickle.

Carlos leaned in, voice low, but i could still hear him “It’s about the account the money was sent to. It’s an anonymous account—impossible to trace. We won’t find out who’s behind it that way.”

Kai exhaled, sending a plume of smoke into the air. His gaze flicked toward me with renewed irritation. “Forget the money. Get her killed. I don’t care about five hundred million if it means I don’t have to look at her again.”

Carlos hesitated, his voice softening in what seemed to be a rare moment of reason. “If we kill her, we lose our only lead. Whoever did this is still out there. No matter how much she irritates you, she’s our best shot at knowing our enemy.”

Kai was silent for a long moment, his eyes cold as they bore into mine. “Fine,” he finally muttered. “Do whatever works.”

Carlos nodded, then approached me slowly, his tone gentle “Amelia,” he began, his voice low, “I know you really hate this place, so I have a proposal for you.”

I looked at him with irritation. “What kind of proposal?”

He cleared his throat before speaking, “Kai is willing to make a deal. You breached our security system—no one else has been able to do that. We need someone with your skill to help us find the person who’s behind this.”

It was an unexpected offer, especially after what had just happened. “What’s in it for me?”

Carlos leaned in closer as he spoke, “Help us find who did this, and Kai will grant you your freedom. You’ll be safe and able to leave this life behind.”

“And I’m just supposed to take Kai’s word for it? how am i sure he’ll keep his promise?” I asked, not convinced

Carlos took a deep breath, his face softening. “I won’t lie to you, Amelia. Trust is complicated here. But if you help us, Kai will keep his promise. And I’ll ensure your safety until it’s done.”

I glanced back at Kai, his unreadable gaze fixed on me. My mind raced. Freedom was tempting, but aligning with him was a risk. Yet, in this twisted game, maybe it was the only card I had left to play.

After a beat of silence, I finally looked back at Carlos, feeling both the determination and the fear coursing through me. "Alright," I said, voice steady. "I’ll help. But only if you can guarantee my safety and hold up your end of the deal."

Carlos nodded, relief flickering across his face. "You have my word, Amelia."

I hesitated, then asked, “Can I...also get paid for the job?” His eyebrows shot up, my question definitely came as a shock to him

“Kai isn’t the only one who got played, you know? I was scammed, too. I was supposed to get ten percent of that five hundred million, and instead, I got nothing,” I said, casting a sharp look toward Kai, who watched us with a cold stare. “And I think I deserve a little health compensation after getting shot by that jerk.”

Carlos let out a sigh but nodded. “I’ll inform Kai of your request. You’ll begin your training tomorrow. You’ll need to learn how to handle firearms so you don’t rely on Kai’s protection all the time.”

I crossed my arms. “If I’m working for him, he should be responsible for my safety.”

Carlos’ sighed, his expression didn’t look convincing at all. “I can guarantee your freedom when this is over, Amelia. But while you’re working for him...no one’s safety is certain. Kai’s made plenty of enemies, and anyone connected to him becomes a target. He doesn’t care who gets killed on his behalf. This life can be brutal, and he’s the kind of man who replaces people the second they’re gone.” Carlos gave me a long look. “You still have time to decide if this is really what you want.”

“And if I back out?”

Carlos’s face was grim. “Then you die, quickly and painlessly. No pay.”

“Of course.” I clenched my fists, swallowing hard. “But if I work with him, I might just make it out alive.”

Carlos didn’t reply. He simply turned and walked away, leaving me to weigh my decision alone.