The city sprawled beneath him, a glittering mosaic of lights and shadows. From his vantage point on the rooftop, König could see the pulse of life far below. The distant hum of traffic, the occasional blare of a siren—all were background noise to his intense focus. His rifle lay steady in his hands, the scope his window into another world.

Tonight’s target was some notorious crime boss whose ruthless ambition had painted the city streets red. Königs target was hosting a lavish rooftop party across the way, a display of opulence that belied the violence lurking beneath his polished exterior.

König had been in position for hours, meticulously studying the movements of the guests, identifying potential bodyguards, and waiting for the perfect shot. His breath was calm, his heartbeat steady—a model of professional detachment. Through the scope, he scanned the crowd, tracking the movements of his target.

Until he saw her.

She stood at the bar, a vision of elegance in a crimson dress that shimmered under the twinkling lights, but it was her eyes that captured him—eyes like fire, burning with an intensity that seemed to pierce his soul. In that instant, everything else faded away. The world outside the scope ceased to exist; there was only her.

Königs mind raced, struggling to pull himself back to reality. He was here for a reason, and that reason was not her. But every time he tried to refocus on his target, his gaze was drawn back to those eyes, like a moth to a flame.

The woman turned, her eyes scanning the crowd as if searching for someone. For a brief, electrifying moment, their eyes met through the scope. König’s breath caught in his throat.

Did she know he was watching her? Could she feel his presence, sense the turmoil within him?

König believed himself to be in the wrong. For his mind to play him a trick as he refocused through the scope.

He blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Before he realized, that the woman he was suddenly so enchanted with, raised her glass of champagne to toast towards him.