The glowing red eyes staring down at her were not entirely human.
They burned in the dark like two hot coals. The man holding her suspended in mid-air was built like a concrete wall encased in a ridiculously expensive charcoal suit.
His jawline was sharp enough to cut glass, his skin was flawlessly pale, and silver rings adorned his massive fingers.
Oh my god. He is gorgeous.
Wait. No. He is a literal murderer! But not as hot as my Donnie.
She narrowed her eyes at him slightly.
Yes, definitely not as hot as my Donnie.
[Ding!]
[Mini-Mission Triggered: The Viper’s Embrace.]
[Objective: Escape the grasp of the Target alive.]
[Penalty for failure: Immediate Death.]
Great. Thank you, System. Very helpful timing.
Sunny swallowed the massive lump of terror in her throat. She could not fight him. He would snap her wrists like dry twigs. She could not run. He was twice as fast as she was.
There was only one weapon left in her arsenal.
Time to act like a complete idiot.
The Viper Boss stared at the girl in his arms. He looked completely and utterly stunned. He had stepped out the back door of his club into his private courtyard for a quiet smoke, and a woman had literally fallen out of the sky into his hands.
His red eyes scanned her, took in her messy, fiery red hair, her tight, low-cut black combat shirt that clung to her curves, and the sleek leather pants. She was beautiful, chaotic, and completely out of place.
A dark, amused smirk slowly started to curl at the corner of his lips.
He shifted his weight and tilted his head back. He was going to look up. Thinking of how this gem fell from the sky.
Shit. He is going to realize I just robbed him.
Sunny acted on pure, unhinged survival instinct. She dropped the black hoodie from her left hand, reached up with both of her bare hands, and grabbed him directly by the face.
She pressed her palms against his cold, pale cheeks and physically forced his head back down so his red eyes were locked entirely on her violet ones.
The Viper Boss froze. No one had ever dared to touch his face before.
"Do you always catch girls falling for you?" Sunny asked, her voice dripping with the thickest, most artificial honey she could possibly muster. She fluttered her eyelashes, leaning her chest slightly closer to his.
This is so embarrassing. Please let the ground swallow me whole.
This body is for my Donovan!!!!!!!
The mafia boss blinked. The sheer audacity of her action completely caught him off guard for a split second.
He let out a low, rumbling chuckle that vibrated right through Sunny’s chest.
"Only the pretty ones," he replied, his voice deep and smooth like dark velvet.
He did not look up at the building. He went completely along with the distraction. He slowly lowered her down, allowing her newly acquired black boots to touch the grass. But he did not let go of her waist. His massive hands stayed firmly on her hips, pulling her flush against him.
"You make quite the entrance, little bird," he murmured, looking down at her. "Most people use the front door. Where exactly did you come from?"
Sunny gave him a bright, wildly inappropriate smile. She rested her hands flat against his chest, playing with the lapels of his expensive suit jacket.
"I took a wrong turn," Sunny lied smoothly. "I was trying to find the VIP lounge, and someone told me the best view was on the balcony. I leaned over a little too far. I am so clumsy."
I am a liar. I deserve an Oscar for this performance.
But it’s all for Donovan.
The Viper Boss arched a brow. He clearly knew she was lying. VIP guests did not wear tactical combat boots and leather pants. But he was far too entertained to care.
"A wrong turn," he repeated slowly, tasting the words. "And yet, you landed exactly where you needed to be."
Sunny let out a soft, breathy giggle. She gently pushed against his chest, stepping back just enough to break his grip on her hips. She needed to put some physical distance between them.
She took a moment to actually look around. They were in a lush, private garden hidden behind the massive concrete walls of the fighting arena. Expensive stone statues, manicured hedges, and glowing lanterns surrounded them.
The Viper Boss shoved his hands into his pant pockets, watching her every move. His red eyes tracked her like a predator watching a very interesting mouse.
"I do not recognize you," he said softly, pacing slowly around the stone path. "I know every wealthy face in Koria. I know every rat in the underground. But you are a complete mystery. What is your name?"
Sunny crossed her arms, shivering slightly in the cold night air. She gave him a mysterious, sideways glance.
"You can call me whatever you want," Sunny teased, biting her bottom lip.
Please don’t call me. Please just let me leave.
"A woman of mystery," he chuckled, stepping closer again. The mist in the air settled in his dark hair, making him look even more ridiculously handsome. "It is dangerous to play games in the Viper’s Den. A beautiful girl like you could easily get swallowed whole."
Sunny felt the warning behind his words. He was flirting, but he was also a ruthless killer. If he decided he wanted to keep her, she would never leave this garden alive. She had stalled long enough.
She needed to bounce right now.
Sunny took a deliberate step back toward the iron gate leading to the main street. She shot him one last, lingering look, packing as much fake affection into her violet eyes as humanly possible.
"I have to go, Mr. Handsome," Sunny said softly.
She turned around, her hips swaying slightly as she walked toward the exit.
"Wait," his deep voice called out.
Sunny froze. Her heart skipped a beat.
Did he figure it out?
She turned her head, looking over her shoulder.
The Viper Boss was holding out a sleek black smartphone. "Your contact information. Give it to me. I want to see you again."
It was not a request. It was a demand from a man who was used to getting exactly what he wanted.
Sunny offered him a soft, entirely fake smile. She shook her head slowly, letting her wet red hair stick to her cheeks.
"A powerful man like you?" Sunny purred, her voice echoing softly in the quiet garden. "You will know exactly how to find me."
The Viper Boss stared at her for a long moment. He slowly lowered his phone. A genuine smile finally broke across his pale face. She had completely hooked him. The thrill of the chase was always better than the catch.
"Take my personal car," he ordered, gesturing toward the iron gates. "My driver will take you wherever you need to go. I cannot have my mysterious guest catching a cold."
Oh my god. I just finessed a mob boss. I am a genius.
"Thank you," Sunny beamed.
She practically sprinted out of the garden, a massive, sleek black luxury sedan was idling at the curb just outside the gates. The driver stepped out, and opened the back door for her.
Sunny slid into the plush leather seats. The warmth of the heater blasted against her freezing skin. She let out a massive, shaky sigh of relief as the driver closed the door.
She rolled the tinted window down just a fraction.
The Viper Boss was standing at the iron gates, watching her leave. Sunny raised her hand and gave him a bright, cheerful wave. He offered a small nod in return.
The luxury car pulled away from the curb, its tyres hissing against the wet asphalt.
[Ding!]
[Mini-Mission Complete.]
[Reward: 500 Koria Dollars added to inventory.]
Sunny slumped back against the expensive leather seats. She covered her face with both hands, letting out a wild, breathless laugh.
The driver navigated the car around the block, heading toward the main entrance of the underground arena to merge onto the main Koria highway. The neon lights of the club flashed brightly through the rain-streaked windows.
Sunny leaned forward, looking out the tinted glass to get one last look at the shithole she just robbed.
The next minute, the smile completely vanished from her face.
Standing right under the glowing neon sign of the club’s main entrance were two men. One was complaining loudly, adjusting his wet suit jacket. The other stood completely still, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.
He wore a tailored black suit, his silver-framed glasses catching the harsh neon light. His aura was cold, heavy, and absolutely suffocating even through the thick glass of the car.
Donovan Fallon.
Elias was right beside him.
They were walking directly into the Viper’s Den.
Sunny’s blood ran cold. She dropped like a stone, throwing her entire body flat across the backseat of the luxury car before the headlights could wash over them.
"Fuck, he is here!"