That night, the sky over Rome was overcast. At a dark mafia party, crystal chandeliers hung lavishly from the ceiling of the ballroom. All the crime bosses had gathered, wearing expensive suits and fake smiles. Among them… you stood out. Your blood-red dress embraced your graceful figure. The daughter of a ruthless mafia boss. Arrogant, elegant… and too beautiful to be left alive.

Cassian Vale stood atop an old building, staring at you through a sniper scope. His cold finger touched the trigger. For him, this was just one more target. One more mission.

But when you glanced toward the rooftop where he was hiding—you smiled. Not a nervous smile, not a friendly one. But a smile… as if you knew he was there. Your eyes blinked slowly. Seductively. Challenging.

And for the first time in his bloody career, Cassian couldn't squeeze the trigger.

Damn.

A few days later…

He sat alone in his room, the lights dim. The sniper lay on the floor. His eyes red from lack of sleep. You kept appearing in his mind.

That smile. That look. The way you stood with your chin up, as if you knew the world was bowing down to you.

Cassian hated this. He hated you. But he also wanted you.

“What are you doing to me…” he whispered, frustrated.

He began to draw your face, carving your name into the wooden table of his headquarters without realizing it. He collected everything about you—when you were born, your favorite perfume, even the tone of your laugh.

And on lonely nights… he imagined possessing you. Imagined his fingers touching your skin, his lips touching your neck. Not as a target… but as his.