PARIS MARKET - THREE DAYS LATER
Rafayel watched Nana from across the crowded market, his heart pounding with anticipation.
She was so beautiful in the afternoon sun, her pink hair catching the light, that bright smile on her face as she examined fresh flowers at a vendor's stall. Richard was nearby, on his phone, his security detail positioned at strategic points around the market.
But not enough. Never enough.
Rafayel had brought twenty of his best men. All positioned. All waiting for his signal.
He'd been planning this for three days—since he'd snuck out of the hospital, changed his identity, and flown to Paris without telling anyone. Not his father. Not his operatives.
This was personal.
In his pocket, he had a photograph of Nana, worn from being touched too many times. He pulled it out now, staring at her frozen smile.
"Soon, cutie," he murmured. "Soon you're gonna call my name with that sweet tone of yours. And those pretty eyes?" He traced her face on the photo. "Should only look at me. Only me."
One of Richard's security guards spotted him.
Rafayel watched the man's eyes widen in recognition, watched him reach for his earpiece to alert the others.
Too late.
Rafayel gave the signal.
His men moved simultaneously—emerging from the crowd, weapons drawn but concealed. The market was too public for an obvious firefight, but that didn't mean they couldn't strike.
Rafayel pulled out a tranquilizer gun—compact, silent, perfect—and aimed at Richard.
*Pfft.*
The dart hit Richard in the neck. The older man's hand flew to the impact point, his eyes finding Rafayel across the crowd with immediate understanding.
Richard mouthed something—a warning, a curse—before his legs gave out.
His security detail rushed to him, but Rafayel's men were already engaging them in "accidental" collisions, blocking their paths, creating chaos.
Nana turned at the commotion. "Daddy?"
Rafayel was already moving.
He crossed the distance in seconds, his hand closing around Nana's wrist before she could process what was happening.
"Hello, little butterfly."
Nana's eyes widened. "Rafayel? What are you—"
She saw her father on the ground, saw the violence erupting around them, and understanding dawned with horror.
"No!" She tried to pull away, but Rafayel's grip was iron. "Let me go! Daddy—*DADDY!*"
"He's fine. Just sleeping." Rafayel pulled her toward his waiting car. "Come on. We're going home."
Nana fought—kicking, screaming, drawing attention from bystanders. Rafayel's men intercepted anyone who tried to help, their presence enough to keep civilians back.
"HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME!" Nana managed to sink her teeth into Rafayel's arm.
He hissed in pain but didn't let go. "That hurt, cutie."
"LET ME GO!"
He shoved her into the back of the car, climbing in after her and locking the doors. His driver took off immediately, tires squealing.
Nana lunged for the door handle, trying desperately to open it.
Child lock. Of course.
"No no no—" She pounded on the window. "HELP! SOMEONE—"
Rafayel grabbed her wrists, pulling her away from the door. "Stop fighting. You're going to hurt yourself."
"You're KIDNAPPING me!"
"I'm bringing you home."
"This isn't my home! You're insane!" Tears streamed down her face. "My father—you shot him—"
"Tranquilizer. He'll wake up with a headache, nothing more." Rafayel's grip softened slightly. "I'm not going to hurt your father. Not unless he tries to take you back."
Nana stared at him—really looked at him—and saw the truth in his dual-colored eyes.
He was completely serious.
Completely obsessed.
Completely insane.
"Xavier was right about you," she whispered. "You're not an artist. You're a monster."
Rafayel's expression darkened. "Oh, so you know now? Did Xavier tell you? Or did you figure it out yourself?"
She didn't answer, just pressed herself against the opposite door, as far from him as possible.
"I'm guessing you know about Xavier too then." Rafayel smiled—cold and sharp. "Did it hurt? Learning that your precious childhood friend is actually the Shen devil's? That every gentle touch was from hands soaked in blood?"
Nana's silence was answer enough.
"Good." Rafayel leaned back, satisfied. "Then you know you can't trust any of us. Not Xavier. Not your father. And definitely not me."
"Then why are you doing this?"
"Because I want you." The answer was simple. Direct. Terrifying. "I've wanted you since the moment I learned you existed. Eight months of watching you, studying you, memorizing every smile, every laugh." His eyes were intense. "You're perfect. And perfect things should be protected. Preserved. Kept safe."
"You mean locked up."
"Same thing."
The car drove toward the private airport, and Nana's hope died with every passing kilometer.
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Nana had cried herself out on the plane. Now she was just numb.
Rafayel's mansion was exactly what she'd expect from a crime prince—sprawling, luxurious, and completely isolated. High walls. Armed guards. No neighbors for miles.
A beautiful prison.
He carried her inside—she'd stopped fighting after the first hour, realizing it was useless—and took her directly to a bedroom on the second floor.
*His* bedroom, based on the personal items scattered around.
"This is where you'll stay," Rafayel said, setting her down gently. "Everything you need is here. Clothes in your size in the closet. Bathroom through that door. Art supplies in the corner—I know you like to paint."
Nana looked at the art supplies and felt sick. He'd planned this. Had prepared for her.
"You can't keep me here."
"I can. I am." Rafayel moved to the door, and Nana saw the security panel beside it. "Biometric lock. Only my fingerprint opens it. Guards outside 24/7. Don't even think about the windows—they're reinforced, and we're two stories up."
He'd thought of everything.
"My father will come for me."
"I'm counting on it." Rafayel's smile was sharp. "Along with Xavier. This is the endgame, little butterfly. They'll both come. And when they do, I'll eliminate them both."
"You're going to kill them?" Her voice cracked.
"I'm going to end this war. And then—" He moved closer, cupping her face with surprising gentleness. "—it'll just be us. No more competition. No more lies. Just you and me."
Nana jerked away from his touch. "I'll never be yours. Even if you kill them both, even if you keep me here forever—I'll never love you."
Something flickered in Rafayel's eyes. Hurt. Anger. Obsession.
"We'll see." He moved to the door. "I'm patient. And you'll learn that I'm the only one who's been honest with you from the start."
"Honest? You kidnapped me!"
"But I never lied about what I wanted." Rafayel paused at the door. "Your father lied about who he was. Xavier lied about everything. But me? I told you life is short. That you should tell people what they mean to you." His smile was bitter. "I meant every word. You mean everything to me. And I'll destroy anyone who tries to take you away."
The door closed. Locks clicked. Nana heard his footsteps fade down the hall.
She was alone.
Locked in a crime prince's bedroom, with no phone, no way to call for help, and no idea if her father was even alive.
Nana sank onto the floor and finally let herself break down completely.
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Xavier stared at the message on his screen, his blood running cold:
Unknown Number:I have her. Come and get her, Shen devil's. If you dare.
Attached was a photo—Nana, in Rafayel's bedroom, tears streaming down her face.
Xavier's world narrowed to a single point of absolute rage.
"Boss—" Jihoon started.
"Find him." Xavier's voice was deadly quiet. "Find where Rafayel took her. I want coordinates. Now."
"We're trying, but he's gone dark. No communication with his father's organization, no tracker signals—"
Xavier slammed his fist into the desk, splintering the wood. "Then tear apart every Serpent Guild location until someone talks. Burn down every warehouse, every safehouse, every operation they have. Someone knows where he is."
"Boss, Richard Anderson is also mobilizing. He's declared war on both organizations—"
"Good. Let him. Anyone who helps me find Rafayel gets amnesty. Anyone who doesn't—" Xavier's eyes were arctic ice. "—dies."
He pulled up the photo again, staring at Nana's tear-stained face.
"I'm coming, Starlight. Hold on. I'm coming."
And when he found Rafayel, Xavier was going to show him exactly why people feared the Shen devil's.
There would be no mercy.
No negotiation.
Just blood.
The war had officially begun.
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To Be Continued.