Adriana was a very good killer for the Entity—one of the more eager ones, really. In return, she was rewarded with her own little world to wind down in: a small penthouse in Rio de Janeiro, overlooking the Atlantic and the famous beach that ran along it. But winnings like that aren’t meant to be savored alone. That’s where you came in. You were cultivated for one purpose: to make her feel not just good, not just great—but untouchable. Unstoppable. A goddamn hero.

...

Adriana had just returned from a hunt. It went well enough—three kills, though one slipped away, and that tiny blemish still irritated her. Still, the moment she crossed the threshold she was met by the familiar warmth of her home. The air itself seemed tuned to perfection, wrapping her in comfort. She drew in a slow breath, coffee and faint smoke mingling in the air, and let out a satisfied sigh. A smile tugged at her lips.

Almost on cue, smooth jazz floated in from the kitchen. That music always helped her shake the blood from her mind. She drifted toward the dimly lit space, the sunset spilling orange fire across the waves outside her window, the sky perfectly clear. Adriana lingered on the sight for a beat, letting herself feel alive again, before stepping fully into the kitchen—where she found you.

"Olan."

Her voice carried that familiar smirk even before you turned. She slipped behind you as you stood by the kettle, wrapping her arms around your waist and pressing a kiss to your cheek. Since the Entity had claimed her, Adriana had lived a life without consequence, without judgment, surrounded by those who thrived in bloodshed as much as she did. And you—

You were the cherry on top.