Chapter 1
1931 Words
ANASTASIA
“Looks like another win for you, Tasia?”
I turn toward the voice. Jepoy grins at me. He’s been with the crew as long as I have, stuck in the same mess we all carry. His fingers tap a nervous rhythm against his thigh. It’s what he does when he’s trying not to look scared.
I let out a hollow laugh. “Win is right. Every dollar adds another sin to my list.”
His eyes drop to the plastic bag in his hand. I know it’s full of cash. He keeps smiling but joy doesn’t reach his eyes. “What choice do we have? Do this or die.”
I go quiet and slump back in my chair. My own bag sits heavy in my lap. Not loose change. Thick stacks of bills, hundreds and thousands bound together. None of it is mine but it’s the fruit of my work.
Theft. I never dreamed I’d end up here. If my ex hadn’t left me for another woman and stuck me with nearly a million pesos in debt to the local gang, I’d be living a normal life now.
They weren’t kidding when they said smart people turn stupid when it comes to love.
College c*m laude and now I’m nothing but a thief.
Three years have passed since he did this to me. I haven’t known a single day of peace. I still don’t understand what made him put my name on those loans. Did he ever think what would happen if I had to pay them alone?
And of all the people he could borrow from—he picked gangsters who charge interest high enough to break you.
If I weren’t as stubborn as I am, I’d have ended it all three years ago. But I want to live. So I took on his debt and made my peace with the blade we dance with just to survive.
Back then collectors were on me every day. They harassed me and threatened to put a bullet in my head if I didn’t pay up. I had no choice but to join this crew. To steal so I could pay faster. And so I could be safe.
Now I have one week left until the final deadline. If I don’t pay every peso by then, they’ll kill me for sure.
“Anastasia, my girl! Looks like we hit another jackpot!”
The new guy slides into the chair beside me and drops his bag on the floor. I know him well enough now. He cracks jokes to keep from screaming.
“Jackpot?” I shoot back. “More like a one-way ticket to hell.”
He laughs and leans back. “Better hell than nothing, right?”
I blow out a breath and clench my fingers around my bag. Almost there, Tasia. A few more hours and you’ll be free of this dirty world.
We’re in one of the crew’s offices though “hideout” is more accurate. Everything we do lives in the shadows. We’re lined up on folding chairs, waiting for our names to be called so we can face the people we owe.
Every single one of us is a thief working to pay off debts we never asked for. Every single one of us has blood on our hands.
“Anastasia Farrales.”
A woman calls my name and I stand up. I walk slowly toward the table where collectors sit. I set my bag down and let them pull out the stacks of cash.
“Is this enough?” I ask, watching their fingers fly over the bills. “Am I free?”
I’m ready for them to say yes. What comes next drops me cold.
“Dream on.” She smirks. “You’re still two hundred thousand short.”
My eyes go wide. “What? That can’t be. Yesterday it was only fifty thousand left—”
She lifts an eyebrow. “Problems, Tasia? Did you forget your payment was late? Interest adds up fast. If you can’t pay in full by next week, you know what happens to people who cross us.”
My shoulders slump as they call the next name. There’s no point arguing with them. I walk outside and pull out my phone. I dial the only number that can help me now.
He picks up after two rings. “Anastasia! To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“f*****g interest rates. Two days late and it jumped by a hundred and fifty thousand!”
I hear him whistle through the line. “I told you to pay ahead of time, Tasia. You never listen.”
“I didn’t call to be lectured, Leo.” I sigh. “You got anything coming up? I need in. One week left and if I don’t pay up, I’ll be six feet under.”
He bursts out laughing. “Perfect timing! We need a woman for this one. I’ll send you the details. We’re meeting behind Don Ramon’s mansion. You need to be there as soon as you can.”
“Got it.” I hang up without another word.
I don’t waste time heading back to the boarding house I call home. I’m exhausted. I just got back from our first job of the day but now I’m heading out to sin all over again.
I stop in front of a window as I pass. I almost laugh when I see the bruise on my cheekbone. One of our marks threw their bag at me during the heist.
“Just a little longer, self. Soon you’ll be free.” I murmur under my breath. My fingers trace the dark spot on my skin.
—
“You’ve got this, right?” Leo asks. A mischievous grin plays on his lips as he looks me over. The familiar scent of his vape hangs in the air between us. Vanilla.
We’re at the spot we talked about. I hold an envelope full of stolen photos of our target for tonight.
I glance down at the pictures. Even from the shots, it’s clear he isn’t local. He stands tall and moves like he owns every space he steps into. The kind of man who knows how to charm women out of their senses.
I flip to another photo. This one shows a ring that looks almost too simple for someone with his reputation. I furrow my brow.
“That’s it?” I complain. “Just a ring?”
“It’s the only thing that matters. Take his wallet too if you want. Your call.”
I nod and straighten my shoulders. “Yeah, sure. You’ll have it by tomorrow.” My bravado earns me another smirk.
“Alright then! There he goes—that’s the bar he always hits tonight.” He points to a spot not far away.
The Obsidian Bar. Even the name smells like money.
Just like the plan, I step inside. Neon light bleeds from the sign into the night like an open wound.
My dress fits the place perfectly. Black halter, sleek and tight enough to turn heads. I’ve got cash in my clutch for drinks.
The moment I walk through the door, I scan the room.
Whiskey and expensive perfume fill the air. A chandelier hangs overhead, its light dripping like molten gold. Laughter and shouts thrum against my ears. The bar is spacious but open-plan, so finding him shouldn’t be hard. I spend nearly fifteen minutes searching before I give up and find a seat.
I slide onto a stool at the counter. “Cocktail,” I say.
“Cocktail coming right up!” The bartender grins.
While I wait, my mind drifts. I see my ex’s face, then the stack of papers with my name on them—nearly a million pesos in debt he left me with. My chest tightens.
“Hmm? You look like you’re miles away, miss.”
I turn back to find the bartender setting my glass down. He’s still smiling. I return it weakly.
“Oh… not really. I’m waiting for someone. A blonde, actually.” Maybe a little conversation will speed things up. People who work here know the regulars.
He smirks. “I see. So you’re one of his women.”
Surprise must show on my face. So he knows exactly who I’m looking for.
“Well, he’s late. I’m getting bored.” I lie smoothly.
He laughs. “He always gets here at ten on the dot. Look—” He taps his watch. “Five minutes to go.”
I don’t linger at the counter. I find a spot in the dim corner, far from the spotlight. Easy to see him the moment he walks in.
I thought I’d have to strain to spot him. But the second he pushes through the door, the room quiets for half a breath. Whispers ripple out from the entrance. Every eye turns his way, especially the women on the dance floor who look at him like he’s their next meal.
My grip tightens on my glass.
Right on time. Ten o’clock sharp.
Kirill Yevgenyevich Ivanov. Rumours paint him as a wolf: a billionaire who devours companies by day and women by night.
I can see his lip piercing glint under the lights, drawing focus to the strange curve of his smile. Blonde hair falls across his forehead, and his eyes are the colour of deep ocean water. No wonder women throw themselves at him.
I’d pictured him cold and scowling. I was wrong.
He moves through the crowd like he belongs there. Easy with people, no hint of snobbery.
He passes my table, but my eyes stay fixed on him.
Stick to the plan, Anastasia.
Let him get drunk. Let him lose his guard. Take his wallet—if I miss the ring, at least the cash will help.
“Then vanish like a bubble,” I murmur.
I wait for him to start drinking. An hour passes and he doesn’t touch a drop.
I run my hands over my face. “s**t! I’ll be here till sunrise at this rate.” I glance back at his table.
He’s gone. “Where did he—”
“A girl as beautiful as you shouldn’t hide in shadows.” I spin around. “Not when she burns this bright.”
My eyes widen. It’s him. Kirill. My target. I have no idea how he found me in this corner, but he’s sitting on the stool beside me. He watches with that same odd smile.
I laugh, sharp and bitter. “You don’t know me.” s**t, calm down, Tasia.
“Don’t I?” I flinch as his hand covers mine where it rests on the bar. His skin is warm, hot as fire against mine. “You’ve been staring all night. Waiting for me.”
Damn it—did he know?
I swallow hard as his thumb traces a light line across my knuckles. I pull my hand back quickly and clear my throat to steady myself.
Think, Tasia. Act normal. This is good—he’s coming to you. Just get him drunk.
“Well, you got me.” My admission makes him chuckle softly.
He shrugs. “I felt your eyes the second I walked in. They’re different from the rest.”
His voice is calm, almost hypnotic. Now that he’s this close, the air feels too thin to breathe.
This man—Kirill Ivanov—I can feel it in my bones. He’s far too dangerous to play with.
- Writer
