The entire night, I found myself lost in thoughts about what had happened between us. As the first light of morning spilled into my room, I stepped out and was greeted by the sight of him—shirtless, standing in the kitchen, a glistening bottle of water in hand. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight of his bare body, glistening with sweat, droplets cascading down his skin.
He turned his gaze toward me, and I felt my heart race as he began to walk in my direction. The sheer magnetism of his presence captivated me, and I couldn't help but admire how incredibly sexy he looked. He playfully bit his lip, pulling me back into the vivid memories of our passionate kiss from the night before. I instinctively stepped back until I met the cool, unyielding wall behind me, a thrilling rush igniting within me.
With a devilish grin, he closed the distance, one arm braced against the wall beside me, his face mere inches from mine. His touch was deliberate as he took my hand and pressed it against his bare chest, the heat of his skin seeping into my palm. A playful glimmer danced in his eyes.
"Why admire me in silence when I'm all yours, baby?" he murmured, his voice dripping with teasing temptation.
The warmth radiating from him was intoxicating, wrapping around me like a slow-burning fire. My breath hitched as his fingers traced the curve of my cheekbone, his touch featherlight yet searing.
"Look at you," he mused, his voice low and velvet-smooth. "You're blushing. Tell me… am I the reason for this?"
His words sent shivers cascading down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. Before I could muster a response, his fingers drifted lower, tracing the shape of my lips with a lazy, knowing touch.
"Umm… You're right Yesterday," he whispered, his gaze locked onto mine, dark and soldering. "They did taste sweet yesterday." And, out of curiosity, I asked, "What?" to which he replied, "Your lips."
He leaned in just enough for his breath to tease my skin, his lips a whisper away. "And now…, I think I might just become addicted to that sweetness."
Just then, the toaster popped, shattering the moment like a glass hitting the floor. Flustered, I pushed him away playfully. "Let's have breakfast! I'm starving!" I declared, trying to regain my composure. With a mischievous grin, he replied, "I'm hungry too, but for something else."
I couldn't help but giggle at his boldness, shaking my head in mock disapproval. "You're so shameless today!" I shot back. He chuckled, "It's all your magic, Madam. Let's go eat."
Breakfast turned into a lively affair, filled with laughter and a vibrant atmosphere. Each moment with him felt like home, something I had never experienced until now. His presence created a warmth that wrapped around me like a cozy blanket. After our lovely morning together, he got ready to work from home, leaving me to bask in the glow of our connection. I found myself missing him almost instantly, lost in thoughts of him, anticipating his return.
That evening, my phone rang, the sharp vibration cutting through the silence. Headquarters. I picked it up, my pulse steady, but there was a weight in my chest. Miss Serena's voice came through, urgent and clipped. "Andrew's people have taken Vincenzo." My fingers curled around the phone, gripping it so tightly my knuckles turned white.
"We're trying to reach him. We don't know their exact plan yet, but one thing is clear—this isn't a simple kidnapping." She took a breath before continuing. "Listen to me carefully. Stay home. Be cautious. We can't risk you getting caught in this." Stay home? As if I could just sit here normally, doing nothing, while Vincenzo was out there—possibly tortured, possibly worse.
A cold, dark rage uncoiled inside me.
"I'm going to get him back." My voice was low, firm, resolute.
"No, you're not." The finality in her tone was sharp. "We can't afford to have you involved. We don't know how deep this runs."
I let out a slow exhale, forcing myself to stay calm, though my blood boiled beneath the surface.
"Ma'am, I wasn't asking for permission. This is my final decision. I don't care about the consequences. Even if you don't support me—I'm going."
Silence. A hesitation. Then a resigned sigh.
"Fine," she said, at last, her voice softer now. "If you made up your mind, I won't stop you. I know what you're capable of." A pause. Then, "Get to headquarters. I'll give you the exact location where they're keeping him."
A smirk ghosted over my lips. "Thank you for trusting me, ma'am. I won't let you down."
I ended the call, but my fingers lingered on the phone, gripping the edge like a lifeline. Vincenzo.
The thought of him—his sharp eyes, his knowing smirk, his infuriating ability to be both impulsively reckless and dangerously precise—flashed in my mind. He is not a man who can be taken against his will. Which meant something bigger was at play.
Whatever it was, I'd burn through hell to get him back.
I moved quickly, shedding hesitation like a second skin. My dark blood-red dress slid over my body like silk, hugging every curve in a way that felt both lethal and intoxicating. The deep slit revealed just enough—a warning, a promise, a trap.
With steady hands, I painted my lips a bold, dangerous crimson. The colour of power. The colour of war. The colour of the blood that would spill if anyone stood in my way.
Grabbing my car keys, I stepped out into the night. The air was thick with tension, the distant hum of the city a whisper in my ears. Sliding into the car, I started the engine. The deep rumble of the engine coursed through me, mirroring the storm raging in my veins. I pressed my foot against the accelerator. The tires screeched against the pavement, and the city lights blurred into streaks of gold and crimson as I sped toward headquarters.
Tonight, I wasn't just coming.
I was hunting.
I stepped into headquarters, immediately engulfed by the heavy weight of tension hanging in the air. The air crackled with urgency, a silent chaos unfolding around me. Agents moved swiftly, their faces etched with concentration, the dim glow of monitors casting shadows over their strained expressions. Everyone was on edge.
Amidst the controlled turmoil, my eyes landed on Miss Serena. She stood at the far end of the room, her presence as commanding as ever. The moment she spotted me, she gave a sharp nod and motioned for me to follow. Without hesitation, I followed close behind her. Her office lay draped in darkness, the soft glow of a solitary desk lamp flickering, casting elongated shadows that writhed and shifted like restless Specters against the walls. She took her seat, exhaling as she gestured for me to do the same.
Then, she began, her voice cold and measured.
"We knew this day would come. Andrew Watson is not the kind of man to sit quietly after suffering such a loss from that bomb. He was bound to retaliate."
Her fingers drummed against the desk, her gaze darkening.
"But Vincenzo..." She paused, her eyes flickering with something unreadable. "He is not a man who can be easily taken. If they have him, it means only one thing—he let them take him. Which means, whatever game Andrew is playing, Vincenzo is already three steps ahead."
She rose from her seat and walked toward a large map pinned to the wall. With a swift motion, she pointed to a marked location.
"We've confirmed that he was taken here. They're trying to break him, make him talk, force him to reveal his identity. But we know Vincenzo—he won't give them anything."
Her voice dipped into a hushed intensity; each word laced with a gravity that sent a slow, icy shiver down my spine.
"As of now, Andrew doesn't know exactly who he has in custody. That gives us an advantage. Your mission is simple—make sure he never finds out. And that means, when you go in, you leave no one behind who could live to tell the tale."
I leaned back, a smirk playing on my lips.
"Understood, ma'am. I'll make sure no one is left in a state to reveal anything."
But then, I met her gaze, my voice turning firm.
"I have one condition."
Her eyes narrowed.
"I go alone."
Miss Serena didn't blink, but I could see the calculation in her expression. I continued before she could object.
"Taking a full team would be a mistake. More bodies, more risk. I know how Andrew operates—if he gets even a whiff of an incoming rescue mission, he'll kill Vincenzo before we get the chance. This needs to be done cleanly. Quiet. Precise. And that means I go in alone."
A tense silence filled the room.
Finally, after a moment that stretched too long, Miss Serena exhaled sharply.
"After a brief silence, she gave a slow nod. "Fine. Accepted."
Her lips curled into the barest hint of a smirk. "I knew you'd ask for that."
I tilted my head, my smirk deepening.
"You know me too well, ma'am."
"Just don't get yourself killed."
"Not tonight." I stood, straightening my dress, the deep blood-red fabric clinging to me like a second skin. "Tonight, I hunt."
Miss Serena watched me as I turned on my heel and strode toward the door.
The hunt had begun.
I smirked, satisfied. But there was one last thing I needed.
"One more thing, ma'am—I need a gun. Something to handle them properly."
Miss Serena didn't hesitate. She turned on her heel and led me down the dimly lit hallway, her heels clicking against the cold floor. We stopped at a secured door, and with a quick code input, it hissed open, revealing a room lined with weapons. Guns, knives—every tool designed for destruction neatly displayed like a gallery of death.
I stepped inside, running my fingers along the cool metal of a few choices before stopping in front of a sleek, long-barrelled rifle. Lifting it from its place, I felt the weight settle in my hands, a perfect balance of power and precision. Yes. This one.
"Perfect," I murmured, inspecting the polished surface before loading the magazine with a slow, deliberate motion.
Miss Serena watched me, her expression veiled in mystery as I turned back to her, gripping the rifle with certainty. I extended my hand, and she shook it firmly.
"Alright, ma'am. I'm leaving now." My voice dropped, carrying a quiet promise. "I will bring him back. And I swear you won't regret trusting me."
She gave a single nod, her usual stoic expression wavered for the slightest instant, a fleeting crack in her carefully guarded demeanour. "Make it count."
I turned on my heel, striding out of the armoury and into the cool night air. Sliding into the driver's seat, I placed the rifle on the passenger side, its weight a silent companion for what was about to come. With a smirk curling my lips, I gripped the wheel and revved the engine, the deep growl of the car vibrating through me.
The car surged forward, tires screeching against the road as I raced into the endless night.
And said-
"Game on."
"Yaa… this is my favourite part....