Morning light slid through the cracks of the curtains, casting long stripes across Ava's bare skin. The warmth of Kai's body behind her hadn't lessened since the night before—if anything, it had grown more possessive in sleep. His arm draped over her waist, fingers tangled in her hair as if he feared she'd disappear if he let go.
Ava lay still, her thoughts a mess of satisfaction, confusion, and the nagging ache of desire that had never really faded. Her thighs were sore in the best way. Her lips were bruised. Her soul—shaken.
She had come to this city to find answers, to get revenge. Not to fall into bed with the man she was supposed to spy on. Certainly not to crave him with a need that made her doubt herself.
She turned slightly, careful not to wake him. Kai looked peaceful. Strong jaw relaxed, hair tousled, lips parted slightly. The mask he wore in the daylight—of power, ruthlessness, distance—was gone. Here, he was just a man. A beautiful, dangerous, addicting man.
And yet, even as she admired him, a twinge of guilt crawled up her spine.
Lucien.
She sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest. The memory of his touch had dulled, but the weight of his words hadn't. He had secrets. So did Kai. But only one of them had demanded her loyalty. The other had taken it without asking.
From the hallway, her phone vibrated on the kitchen counter. She tiptoed out of the bedroom, the cold floor jolting her more awake with every step.
One new message. From Lucien.
We need to talk. Today. Alone.
She chewed her lip. Her pulse quickened.
Behind her, Kai stirred in bed.
She pulled on one of his button-up shirts—slightly oversized, soft against her skin—and padded quietly to the living room. The city hummed outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Her mind, however, was louder.
She'd promised herself this wouldn't get personal. She'd told herself she could handle Kai, use him, discard him.
But last night hadn't been control.
Last night had been surrender.
She replied to Lucien's message.
Give me an hour.
Just as she slipped her phone into her pocket, Kai's voice broke the silence.
"You leaving already?"
She froze. Turned.
Kai leaned against the hallway wall, shirtless, hair messy, tattoos curling along his arms like dark whispers. His eyes, even sleep-heavy, pinned her in place.
"No," she lied. "Just getting some air."
He stepped forward, his gaze flicking to her phone. "You always lie with that face?"
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
He didn't repeat himself. Instead, he crossed the space between them and cupped her cheek.
"You don't owe me explanations," he said. "But don't insult me with pretty lies. I've seen too many of them."
For a second, she wanted to confess everything. Who she was. What she wanted. Why she was really here.
But instead, she kissed him. Softly. Too softly.
He deepened it, turning it into something dangerous.
"You taste like guilt," he murmured against her lips.
She pulled back.
"I have to go."
He didn't stop her. But his eyes followed every step.
The café Lucien chose was quiet and tucked into a shaded street near the river. He was already seated when she arrived, black turtleneck, dark shades, and that ever-present air of mystery wrapped around him like armor.
"You're late," he said, though his voice lacked judgment.
"You're lucky I came."
He removed his glasses and studied her. "You've been with him again."
Ava didn't respond.
Lucien leaned forward. "Tell me, Ava. Are you still on our side, or has his cock made you forget everything?"
Her jaw clenched. "You don't get to talk to me like that."
"I do when you risk everything for a man you're supposed to be manipulating."
"It's not that simple."
"No," he agreed. "It never is."
Lucien reached into his coat and slid a photograph across the table.
It was of Kai. At some rooftop event. Surrounded by powerful people. Smiling like a king.
"He's planning something. And whatever it is, it involves the Syndicate. We need someone on the inside. We need you."
Ava stared at the photo. Her pulse raced.
"Then let me do it my way," she said. "Stop pushing."
Lucien held her gaze. "You forget, Ava. I'm not just your contact. I'm the reason you're alive."
She stood up.
"You're also the reason I'm trapped."
Lucien didn't stop her as she walked away.
But his words followed her.
"He'll break you, Ava. And when he does, I won't pick up the pieces."
Back at Kai's penthouse, the atmosphere had shifted. The air was cooler. The silence—sharper.
Kai was in the living room, reading a file. He didn't look up when she entered.
"Where were you?"
She didn't answer immediately.
"Out."
"With him?"
She froze.
"Lucien."
Her heart thudded.
"What if I was?"
Kai stood, tossing the file aside. "Then I'd need to remind you who you belong to."
Ava crossed her arms. "I don't belong to anyone."
He stepped closer, voice low. Dangerous. "That's the second lie you've told me today."
She slapped him. Hard.
His eyes flared.
He didn't strike back. He didn't yell.
He grabbed her, spun her, bent her over the back of the couch.
"You want to act like you're not mine? Fine," he growled. "But your body knows better."
He yanked her panties down.
She gasped. "Kai—"
"Quiet. You lost your right to words the second you flirted with another man."
He entered her in one sharp thrust.
She screamed—part fury, part ecstasy.
He didn't go slow. He took her like he owned her.
Like he needed to erase every memory of Lucien from her mind.
And he did.
When he finished, he pulled her up by the hair and kissed her.
"Now," he said, breathing hard, "do you still think you're not mine?"
She didn't answer.
Because she didn't know anymore.
Later that night, as Kai slept beside her, Ava sat on the balcony with a cigarette between her fingers—a habit she only picked up when her thoughts became too loud.
Lucien's voice echoed in her head.
"He'll break you."
Maybe he already had.
But even if he did, Ava wasn't sure she wanted to be fixed.
She wanted Kai's darkness. His obsession. His control. She wanted to dive headfirst into the fire, knowing she'd burn.
A shadow moved across the building opposite hers. A flash of red light.
Sniper?
She ducked.
A bullet shattered the balcony glass.
"Kai!" she screamed, running inside.
He was already up, gun drawn, eyes sharp.
"Get down!"
Another shot. This one buried into the wall beside his head.
He tackled her to the floor, covered her with his body.
Then—silence.
The shots had stopped.
Kai reached for his phone. Dialed.
"I want eyes on every rooftop. Now."
Ava trembled beneath him. Not from fear. From the terrifying realization that whoever wanted Kai dead… wanted her dead too.
Kai's jaw was locked, rage simmering.
He pulled her up. Stared into her eyes.
"This is your fault."
She recoiled. "What?"
"They followed you. Or they followed him. Either way, you brought them here."
"I didn't—"
"Don't lie to me again."
He stormed into the bedroom, yanked open a drawer, threw a duffel bag at her.
"Pack. We're leaving."
Ava stood frozen.
Then slowly, she reached for the bag.
Because in that moment, she realized something far worse than being caught between two powerful men.
She was falling in love with one of them.
And she was scared it wasn't the right one