"Vick's gaze lingered on mine, his eyes piercing through the dimly lit room. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and expensive whiskey. "I'll see you later, Tess," he said, his voice low and husky, before turning to leave.
I spun around, my eyes blazing with anger. "Why are you blaming me like I'm some kind of trophy?" I spat, venom dripping from my voice.
Slavvy's expression remained impassive, his chiseled features illuminated only by the faint glow of the bar's neon lights. "I'm not claiming you, but I'm making sure everyone knows you're my queen," he said, his tone low and possessive.
I raised an eyebrow, my gaze cold. "Jerk face," I muttered, turning back to the bar.
The bartender, a gruff-looking man with a thick beard, polished a glass with a dirty rag, eyeing me with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
My eyes drifted to Slavvy, who was chatting up a mysterious young woman. She was flirting shamelessly, her bright red lips curled into a seductive smile. I felt a pang of hurt that he was allowing it.
Just then, a familiar voice called out my name. "Tess?"
I turned to see Haze, his eyes scanning the room before locking onto mine. He looked out of place in the seedy bar, his clean-cut features and expensive suit a stark contrast to the rough clientele.
"Haze," I replied, my tone neutral, despite the spark of excitement within me.
"Are you okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face.
I shrugged, taking a sip of my drink. The whiskey burned down my throat, warming my chest. "Yeah, I guess."
Haze's gaze drifted to Slavvy, his expression skeptical. "You know your parents are worried sick about you, right? You just disappeared with him."
I felt a twinge of guilt, but Haze continued, his voice measured. "Aren't you a Christian girl, Tess? Slavvy's demons are a lot to handle, even for someone as strong as you."
I looked away, feeling frustrated. "What choice do I have? He claims me like I'm his object."
Haze's eyes narrowed. "You can say he's a little obsessed with you, Tess. All he thinks about is you."
I rolled my eyes, unsure how to respond.
"Anyway, I don't know why he left you sitting here all alone when he knows a lot of people in this room are his enemies, waiting to strike," Haze said, his voice low.
My heart pounded as I scanned the room, noticing several hostile gazes locked onto me. The air seemed to thicken, the shadows cast by the dim lighting twisting into menacing forms.
Haze reassured me, "Don't worry, though. He's a man who's always ten steps ahead."
A faint smile formed on my lips.
"Want to dance?" Haze asked, his eyes sparkling.
I agreed, feeling bored and tipsy. We glided onto the dance floor, the sultry music enveloping us.
As we danced, I felt my senses dulled by the alcohol. Haze's hands guided me, our bodies swaying to the rhythm.
Suddenly, chaos erupted. Haze was tackled to the floor, and Slavvy's men closed in.
"Slavvy, stop!" I yelled, but he didn't respond.
A gun was pressed to my head, and I froze.
Slavvy's voice was low and deadly. "Let her go, Vick, or I'll kill you."
Vick sneered, his eyes glinting. "Not everyone is your friend, Slavvy. Even the people you trust the most."
Slavvy's face twisted in rage. "Traitor," he spat.
Vick laughed, his voice dripping with malice. "You're going to hand me forty billion dollars before midnight. If not, I'll kill her. She's your weakness."
I felt a chill run down my spine as Vick's men closed in.
The scene descended into chaos, with gunshots and screams filling the air.
Vick dragged me away, throwing me into a car. We sped off into the night, Slavvy's car hot on our heels.
I felt like I was trapped in a real-life action movie.
"Leave me alone!" I tried to fight back, distracting Vick as he drove.
"You stupid woman, leave me alone!" he snarled, pushing me against the seat.
In a flash, he pulled out a gun, and we struggled, the weapon firing wildly.
When facing death, adrenaline takes over.
The car careened out of control, crashing into a tree. I screamed, my head spinning.
As I came to, I heard someone calling my name. "Tess!"
I opened my eyes to see Slavvy seated on the couch, his gaze intense. The room was dimly lit, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioner.
My mind reeled, memories of the shootout and Vick's death flooding back. I felt a wave of guilt wash over me.
"Why did you take me to that place?" I whispered, my voice trembling.
Slavvy's eyes dropped, his voice barely audible. "I'm sorry."
I glared at him, anger and hurt simmering. "Sorry? What kind of life are you introducing me to?"
Tears streamed down my face. "I was a simple girl, living my life, attending church... Now I'm murdering people and lost in sin."
Slavvy's gaze locked onto mine, his expression somber. "I have a confession to make," he said, his voice low.
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "What is it?"
gaze locked onto mine, his expression unreadable. "I have a confession to make," he said quietly, his voice edged with something heavy.
A chill rippled down my spine. "What is it?"
He hesitated — the kind of silence that makes your heart stop beating. "I paid the doctors to tell you that you have cancer."
For a moment, everything around me stilled. "What?"
"You're telling me… I never had cancer?" I spat, my voice trembling with rage. "That all of it was a lie?"
Slavvy's jaw flexed, his eyes refusing to leave mine. "Yes. I paid them. I needed you to believe it."
I took a step back, my stomach twisting. "You manipulated me. You used me."
He exhaled, his face calm, but his eyes stormed. "I did it to protect you."
"Protect me from what?" I demanded.
"From the truth," he said softly.
I froze. "What truth?"
Slavvy's voice dropped low, his words deliberate. "You're not just some girl caught up in my mess, Tess. You're part of it. Your mother used to work for the same people who destroyed my family."
My breath caught. "That's not possible."
He nodded, his expression darkening. "Before you were born, your mother was an informant — forced into it by your father's debts. She gave information to the mafia that led to the deaths of my father and brother."
I stared at him, shaking my head. "You're lying."
He opened his jacket pocket and pulled out a weathered photograph — a grainy image of a woman who looked exactly like my mother, standing beside men in suits I recognized from old headlines.
My throat tightened. "Where did you get this?"
"I've known since the first day I met you," he said, voice breaking slightly. "I tried to hate you, Tess. I told myself you were my enemy's daughter — that getting close to you would be revenge."
The air left my lungs.
"But the more I saw you…" His voice softened. "The more I realized you weren't her. You were everything she wasn't. And that scared me."
I backed away slowly, my heart pounding. "You made me think I was dying so I'd depend on you. You lied about my illness to keep me close."
His eyes softened, but guilt weighed heavy in them. "Because I couldn't lose you. You were supposed to be a target, not the only thing that feels real anymore."
Tears burned behind my eyes. "You could've told me the truth."
"I was afraid," he admitted. "Afraid you'd hate me. Afraid you'd leave."
My voice trembled. "And now?"
He stepped closer, his hand lifting to brush a tear from my cheek — but I flinched away. "Now you know everything," he murmured. "If you want to walk away, I won't stop you."
The silence between us pulsed, thick with unspoken words and pain.
"Why would you do all this for me?" I whispered.
"Because," he said, his voice breaking, "I've spent my whole life chasing revenge… and somehow, I fell in love with the one person I should've destroyed."
My chest ached. I didn't know whether to slap him or hold him. Every part of me wanted to run — and yet, when he looked at me, I stayed rooted to the spot.
"Slavvy…" I whispered, my voice trembling. "You broke me."
"I know," he said, taking a step closer. "And I'd do anything to put you back together again."
I could feel the heat of him, the electricity that always lived between us. But this time, there was no hunger in his touch — just regret.
"What do you want from me now?" I asked.
He looked down at me, eyes dark but soft. "Everything. But I'll take whatever you'll give."
I swallowed hard. "Then promise me something."
"Anything."
"Never lie to me again," I said. "No more manipulation. No more games."
He nodded, his voice low. "You have my word."
I wanted to believe him — but part of me already knew better.
Because loving Slavvy was like loving fire. It burned, it hurt, but it was impossible to walk away from.
"I'll take that risk," I whispered.
His eyes flickered with a mix of pain and awe. He didn't kiss me this time — he just pulled me into his arms, holding me as if I might vanish.
And as I buried my face in his chest, I realized something terrifying — I wasn't sure if I was finding safety in his arms… or losing myself completely.
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