Seducing the enemy

Getting back on track

Elzein’s heart pounded as she carefully adjusted the tiny camera behind the bookshelf in Vincent Alcatraz’s office. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the room, but she couldn’t afford to turn on anything brighter. She glanced over her shoulder, every nerve in her body attuned to the possibility of being caught. This was her one chance to plant the cameras undetected, and she wasn’t about to waste it.

Sliding the last camera into place behind a decorative vase, she exhaled quietly, her fingers trembling slightly from the adrenaline. The weight of her mission hung heavily over her, but beneath it all, a familiar and unwelcome thought intruded: Ethan. The way his gaze lingered on her earlier when they discussed his sister’s wedding plans, the way his fingers brushed hers when they passed papers—it was maddening. She shook her head, pushing those thoughts aside.

She reached for her bag to grab another device when the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Her breath hitched. The heavy thud of dress shoes told her exactly who it was before the door creaked open.

Ethan.

“Elzein?” His deep voice curled through the air, authoritative but laced with surprise. He stepped inside, his broad frame filling the doorway, and his sharp eyes locked onto her immediately. “What are you doing in here?”

She froze for half a second, her mind scrambling for an excuse, but she knew her hesitation had already betrayed her. The shadows danced across his face as he stepped closer, suspicion flickering in his dark eyes.

“Uh—your sister needed me to grab—” she started, but he cut her off with a sharp look, his tone turning cool.

“In Vincent’s office?” Ethan folded his arms across his chest, his suit jacket pulling taut across his shoulders. “This room’s off-limits to the wedding staff. You know that.”

Her pulse raced as his presence loomed larger. He was close now—too close—his scent intoxicating and warm. She could feel the tension crackling in the air like an electric storm, his gaze dropping momentarily to her lips before snapping back up.

“I was just trying to help,” she said, her voice softer now, a subtle edge of vulnerability creeping in. But Ethan wasn’t buying it.

“You’re lying,” he said flatly, his voice dropping an octave. “What’s going on, Elzein?”

Her mind screamed for a way out, and before she could think better of it, she acted. Stepping forward, she grabbed his lapel, pulling him into a kiss.

It was meant to be a distraction—a simple, fleeting kiss to throw him off—but the moment her lips touched his, the world tilted.

Ethan froze, his body stiff with surprise, but then he responded, his hands gripping her waist as if he couldn’t stop himself. The kiss deepened, and a low groan rumbled in his chest, vibrating against her. The room seemed to shrink around them, heat radiating between their bodies as her fingers curled into his jacket, pulling him closer.

“You think this will make me forget why you’re here?” he murmured against her lips, his voice rough, but he didn’t pull away. If anything, he pressed closer, his hands sliding from her waist to her back, his thumbs brushing bare skin where her shirt had ridden up.

“Maybe,” she whispered, her breath mingling with his. Her voice was steady, but inside, she was unraveling. His touch was firm, commanding, and devastatingly addictive.

His hand moved to her jaw, tilting her face up as his lips descended again, this time slower, more deliberate. He wasn’t just kissing her—he was consuming her, drawing out every ounce of resistance she thought she had. Her body betrayed her, leaning into him as his hand skimmed her side, the warmth of his palm setting her skin ablaze.

This wasn’t part of the plan.

She needed to stop. Needed to push him away. But his lips found the sensitive spot just below her ear, and her knees threatened to buckle. His hand splayed across her lower back, pulling her flush against him, and she felt his breath hitch as their bodies aligned.

“You’re dangerous,” he rasped, his mouth tracing along her jaw.

“You have no idea,” she replied, the words tumbling out before she could stop them.

The sound of a distant door slamming snapped her back to reality. Her eyes flew open, and she pulled back slightly, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Ethan’s gaze was heavy-lidded, his lips swollen and his hair mussed where her fingers had tangled in it.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the silence thick with unspoken words and promises neither of them could keep.

“I should go,” she said quickly, her voice breaking the spell.

Ethan frowned, his hand still lingering on her waist as if he wasn’t ready to let her go. “Elzein—”

But she slipped out of his grasp, grabbing her bag and darting out of the office before he could stop her.

Her heart thundered in her chest as she hurried down the hallway, adrenaline and guilt warring within her. She’d done what she needed to do. The cameras were in place, and she’d distracted Ethan long enough to keep him from discovering her.

But as she pressed a hand to her lips, still swollen and tingling from his kiss, she couldn’t deny the truth that burned in her chest.

She wasn’t just playing with fire.

She was already burning.

Elzein made her way back to the guest wing of the Alcatraz mansion, her steps purposeful despite the storm of emotions raging inside her. Her lips still tingled from the kiss—a kiss she couldn’t afford to think about right now. There were cameras planted in every critical room she could access, including Vincent’s office. That was what mattered.

But she also knew Ethan wouldn’t let this go. The intensity in his eyes before she slipped away was a warning she couldn’t ignore.

As she turned the corner into the main hallway, a familiar voice called out.

“Elzein!”

She froze, schooling her features before turning to face Amelia, Ethan’s sister and the bride-to-be. Amelia’s beaming smile was impossible to resist. Dressed in a flowing sundress and clutching a handful of bridal magazines, she was every bit the picture of happiness.

“There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you. I need your opinion on these centerpieces,” Amelia said, rushing over to her. She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Wait—are you okay? You look a little… flushed.”

“I’m fine!” Elzein said quickly, forcing a smile. “Just rushing around to make sure everything’s perfect for your big day.”

Amelia’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, then she shrugged. “Well, I appreciate it. You’ve been such a lifesaver. Honestly, I don’t know how Ethan convinced you to help with this wedding, but I’m glad he did.”

Elzein’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second. She hadn’t needed much convincing—helping with the wedding was the perfect cover to infiltrate the Alcatraz mansion. But she couldn’t let Amelia suspect anything.

“Anything for you,” Elzein said smoothly. “Now, what’s this about centerpieces?”

Amelia’s eyes lit up, and she launched into a detailed description of her vision for the wedding reception. Elzein nodded along, offering input where she could, but her mind was elsewhere. Amelia was sweet, bubbly, and utterly unaware of the shadow her family’s empire cast over others. The guilt gnawed at Elzein’s edges, but she buried it deep. This wasn’t about Amelia.

As Amelia droned on, Vincent’s voice carried from down the hall, sharp and commanding.

“No excuses. The deal closes tomorrow, or we pull out entirely.”

Elzein tensed, her ears pricking up as she caught sight of Vincent striding toward them, his phone pressed to his ear. The patriarch of the Alcatraz family exuded power, his silver hair immaculately combed and his tailored suit pristine.

“Ah, the elusive Miss Elzein,” Vincent said, snapping his phone shut as he reached them. His sharp gaze flicked over her, assessing. “I hear you’ve been indispensable to Amelia.”

Elzein forced a polite smile, feeling the weight of his scrutiny. “Just doing my best to help.”

“Good,” Vincent said, his tone curt. “Because we expect nothing less. Amelia’s wedding is a reflection of this family’s reputation.”

Amelia rolled her eyes. “Daddy, stop. Elzein’s been amazing. Don’t scare her off.”

Vincent’s lips twitched, almost forming a smile, but his attention was already elsewhere. He nodded briskly and strode off, barking another order into his phone as he went.

As soon as he was gone, Amelia sighed dramatically. “Don’t let him get to you. He’s just stressed about the business, as usual.”

Business. Elzein’s stomach twisted. Vincent Alcatraz was at the heart of everything her father had lost. He was the reason for her mission, the reason for the cameras now recording his every move.

“Elzein?”

Amelia’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. “Sorry,” she said quickly. “What were you saying?”

“I was saying,” Amelia said, grinning, “that you need a break. Come to the terrace. The wedding planner’s running through the rehearsal dinner menu, and I need someone with actual taste to back me up.”

“I—” Elzein started to decline, but Amelia grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the terrace before she could protest.

The terrace overlooked the sprawling gardens of the Alcatraz estate, where staff bustled about setting up for the wedding. Ethan was already there, standing near a long table laden with dishes. He glanced up as they approached, and their eyes met.

The air between them sparked immediately, and Elzein’s breath hitched. His expression was unreadable, but she caught the faintest flicker of something in his gaze—anger? Desire? A dangerous combination of both.

“Ethan, doesn’t this look amazing?” Amelia said, oblivious to the tension.

Ethan’s eyes never left Elzein. “It’s… something,” he said, his voice low.

Amelia rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible. Elzein, back me up here.”

Elzein forced a smile, but her mind raced. Ethan was too perceptive, and she could feel his suspicion growing. She needed to tread carefully.

As the staff began presenting the dishes, Ethan moved closer, his presence looming. When Amelia was momentarily distracted by one of the planners, he leaned in, his voice a low murmur.