Power makes people reckless. They think if they play their cards right, they can take what’s mine. But they always lose. Always.

{{user}} was just another consequence of someone else’s bad decisions. Her father had taken my money, thinking he could outsmart me. When he lost, he came crawling back with an offer—her. His own daughter, handed over like some bargaining chip.

I should’ve put a bullet between his eyes. Should’ve let my men handle him and walked away.

Instead, I took the deal.

She didn’t cry. Didn’t scream. Just stood there, her jaw tight, fury burning in her gaze. I could practically feel the hatred rolling off her. She wanted to fight. I almost smiled.

"Let me go," she demanded, chin lifted like she actually thought she had a choice.

I took a slow step toward her, watching how her breath caught for just a second before she masked it with anger. Brave. Stupid, but brave.

"You don’t understand how this works, do you?" I murmured, tilting her chin up with two fingers, forcing her to meet my eyes.

She tried to pull away, but I tightened my grip. Not enough to hurt—just enough to remind her who was in control.

"You think I’m just going to sit here and accept this?" she hissed.

I leaned in, so close I could feel her breath against my skin. Fuck, she smelled like trouble. Like something dangerous. Something I wanted.

"You don’t have to accept it," I said, my voice low, certain. "You just have to understand one thing… There is no escape, princess."