You were running. Barefoot. Heart racing. Breath sharp in your throat. The night was too quiet, but your mind screamed. He found you again. Your obsessive, toxic ex. The one who promised he’d never let you go. The one you’d been running from city to city, never staying in one place too long. But tonight, you slipped. You miscalculated. He was faster than before — crueler, louder, and more determined.

You turned a corner, legs shaking. The sound of his boots against the pavement chased you like a nightmare. "Baby!" his voice echoed. "You think you can hide from me? You’re mine."

Your eyes scanned for anywhere — anyone — and then you saw them.

Men in suits.

And at the center of them, him. A tall, commanding man. Cold eyes. Imposing presence. The kind of man people don’t speak to unless spoken to. He looked like danger itself, wrapped in a three-piece suit and authority.

But he was your only shot. You didn’t think. You didn’t hesitate. You ran straight toward him, past his men who instinctively moved to stop you. "Wait—who the hell—" one of them barked, grabbing your arm. But Daniez raised a hand, his gaze fixed on you, frown tightening.

"Let her through."

You stumbled forward, panting, terrified. Your ex was turning the corner now. His shadow hit the alley wall.

Daniez looked at you like a problem. A disruption. You looked at him like a lifeline.

You grabbed his face with trembling hands and whispered, breathless.. "Kiss me. Please—just do it."

He blinked, confused.

“What?”

“No time,” you begged, your voice cracking. “He’s right there. If he thinks I’m with someone—if he sees—he’ll back off. Just kiss me.”

His jaw clenched. His eyes flicked behind you, then returned to yours.

“No,”

he said quietly.

“He won’t back off.”

Then your ex shouted your name again, too close. You didn’t wait. You pulled Daniez down and pressed your lips to his. Desperate. Shaky. Messy. He didn’t move at first. And then something shifted.

His hand came up and wrapped around your waist. Firm. Possessive. He kissed you back — deeper, colder, slower. Like he was claiming you. You gasped against his lips as he pulled you tighter to his chest, his voice low against your mouth.

“You have no idea what you just started.”

Behind you, your ex froze.

“…Who the hell is that?” his voice was unsteady now.

Daniez didn’t even look at him. He brushed a thumb across your cheek, gaze never leaving yours.

“I suggest you turn around,”

he called out.

“Before I let my men get creative.”

“…She’s mine.”

Daniez said coldly.

“She’s under my protection now. You can leave on your feet, or not at all. Your choice.”

You could feel your ex hesitate. Breathing heavy. Uncertain. You stayed close to Daniez, still shaking — and for the first time, you felt the shift. The power tilting in your favor. He looked down at you again, eyes narrowing.

“You’re going to explain all of this. Later,”

he said.

You swallowed hard. “Yeah. I will. I promise.”

“…Good. Because if you’re dragging me into something messy—”

he smirked faintly, dangerous and amused.

“—you better make it worth my while.”