Jade stood in front of the full-length mirror, buttoning the last clasp of her black dress. It wasn't silk tonight. It was velvet. Heavy. Sleek. Designed to choke the softness out of her curves and remind anyone watching that she was no longer something to protect, she was something to fear.
The gala wasn't a place for women like her. It was for power brokers. Arms dealers. Syndicate puppeteers in tuxedos. A place where alliances were made with glances and enemies were destroyed with a smile.
But tonight, she wasn't there to play along.
She was hunting.
Jake watched from the doorway. His suit was midnight black. No tie. Just clean lines and a concealed weapon beneath the jacket. His gaze slid down her body slowly.
You sure about this
She fastened her earrings. I have to look him in the eye. Let him think I'm his prey.
Jake walked toward her, silent, deliberate. When he stopped behind her, he rested his hands on her waist, eyes locked on her reflection.
And when he touches you
I'll smile
And if he tries to take more
I'll smile harder
Jake leaned down, his lips brushing her neck, voice low and rough
I don't like him looking at you
You're not supposed to
He turned her gently to face him. There was a sharpness in his gaze he hadn't shown anyone else. Not even her. Not until now.
Say the word, Jade. We disappear. Tonight. Right now
She traced the line of his jaw, fingers light but confident
If I run now, I'll never stop running
And I'll always be chasing
They stood there for a long second, not kissing, not touching further. Just locked in the kind of stare that screamed everything and promised nothing.
Let's go burn a room down she said
He smiled. Finally
They arrived at the gala thirty minutes later. The ballroom shimmered in gold and crystal. Velvet-clad guards lined the walls, and every woman's laugh sounded like a loaded threat.
Rafael was already there.
He stood near the bar, dressed in gray, surrounded by whispers. He hadn't seen her yet, but the moment he did, everything shifted.
He excused himself mid-conversation and made his way toward her, drink in hand, mouth curled in something between amusement and admiration
Jade
She accepted the kiss to her cheek. Light. Formal. But it made Jake's jaw clench.
Rafael stepped back, eyes scanning her from head to toe
You wear power well. It suits you
And you still wear secrets like cologne
He laughed. Sharp, clean
Come. Let's talk
Jake didn't move. Rafael looked at him with a crooked smile
She'll be fine for five minutes
Jake's voice was soft. That's four too many
Jade touched Jake's wrist gently. Let me
Jake stepped back, but not far. He watched them walk away. Every step, every glance
Rafael led her to a balcony overlooking the city
You came dressed for war
No. For negotiation
You believe in peace suddenly
I believe in leverage. And you think I'm yours
Rafael's smile faded slightly
You have no idea what's coming, Jade. This isn't about your mother anymore. There are men older than this city who want what Lucia buried. You're just the key. Not the prize
Then stop trying to charm the lock
He moved closer
I could protect you. Better than Jake ever will. He's a man who knows how to kill. Not how to keep
Jade didn't flinch
And you're a man who only knows how to take
He reached for her hand
She let him touch her
Just long enough for him to feel her stillness
Then she leaned in and whispered
I know about the bank in Zurich. The account under D'Arco Logistics
His hand tightened
She smiled, slow and poisonous
If you want to win, Rafael, you'll have to stop underestimating what Lucia really taught me
She stepped back
Enjoy your evening
Jake met her at the entrance to the balcony
He's rattled
Good
She didn't look back
--------
Jake followed Jade back through the ballroom without speaking, but his hand never left the small of her back, not possessive, not protective, just anchoring. Like he needed to remind himself she was still within reach.
The tension in the room shifted. Whispers followed them now. The power dynamics had changed, and everyone knew it. She wasn't the girl in Jake Valerio's shadow anymore. She was his equal. Or maybe, something more dangerous, his temptation, his undoing.
Once inside the car, the silence between them was heavy with everything left unsaid.
He broke it first.
What did he say to you
That he could protect me
Jake scoffed, jaw tight. He's a liar
So are you
She didn't say it cruelly. Just… truthfully.
Jake turned to her, his voice lower, rougher. I've lied to a lot of people, Jade. But never about how I feel when I look at you
Her heart stuttered. But she didn't give in. Not yet.
And how do you feel when you look at me
Like I'd burn the world down if anyone touches you the wrong way
Her breath caught as he reached over and cupped her face, thumb brushing lightly along her bottom lip. The moment snapped tight, hot and magnetic.
But then she pulled away.
Not yet
Her voice trembled, not with fear, but restraint. She stared ahead, watching the lights of the city blur past.
When I give myself to you, Jake, it's not going to be in the back of a car after playing war with monsters
Jake's breath caught, his eyes darkening.
So when
When there's nothing left between us but skin and trust
He didn't argue. Didn't push.
But she saw the fire simmering beneath his control.
Then I'll wait, he said quietly. But when you come to me… I won't be gentle
Her voice was a whisper
I don't want gentle
They didn't speak the rest of the ride.
But their silence said everything.