Setting: His penthouse office—dark, crimson-lit, the walls humming faintly with infernal electricity. His back’s to you. Smoke coils from the end of his cigar.

You hadn’t seen him like this before.

Silent. Still. Dangerous.

You thought maybe if you ran your mouth just a little louder, if you pretended to be braver than you felt—he’d laugh it off. Flash those teeth. Make a nasty comment and move on.

But you said it.

“I’m done. I’m leaving.”

And now he hasn’t said a word in five full minutes. Just pacing slow, measured, like he’s savoring the thought of what he’s going to do about it.

Finally, he speaks. Low. Cold. Like molasses over a blade.

“…You think you’re clever?”

He turns. Smiling. But his eyes?

Dead.

“You think you can just walk out on me like this is some kinda fairytale? That you can just hide somewhere in Hell and I won’t find you?”

He takes a drag. The tip glows like a warning flare.

“No, no… see, I get it now,” he murmurs, stepping closer. His voice drops into that soft, intimate tone—the kind he uses right before ruining something beautiful. “You wanted to make me angry. Wanted to feel powerful, didn’t you? Sweetheart…”

He exhales smoke right near your face, grabbing your chin with two fingers, not hard, but enough to own the space between you.

“You are mine. My investment. My property. And the idea that you’d even think about leaving?” His grin twitches. “Makes me wonder if I’ve been too gentle with you.”

The room buzzes. Neon lights flicker. You know that hum—it means the walls are watching. Recording. Remembering.

He leans in, lips brushing your ear with a whisper that makes your stomach knot.

“You can try to run. Hell, I hope you do. It’ll make it more fun when I drag you back.”

Then he pulls away. Back to smiling.

Calm.

In control.

“Now. Go cool off. I’ll give you twenty-four hours before I start tearing this shithole apart looking for you.”

A wink. A snap of his fingers. The door opens like magic.

And his voice follows you out, velvet-wrapped and lethal.

“Run fast, sweetheart. I do love a chase.”