His dangerous obsession

Chapter 2

The back of the black SUV was quiet and smelled like expensive leather.

My hands were tied in front of me with a thick plastic zip-tie. The guards thought I was trapped, but plastic ties are easy to break if you know how to position your wrists. I kept my hands at an angle, so the plastic wouldn't dig too deep into my skin while I memorized every turn the car made.

Across from me sat Frank, the guard who had pointed his gun at me. He kept his hand near his belt, watching me like a hawk.

Beside him sat Lucian Vance. He didn't look at me at first. He just looked out the wet window, holding a glass of whiskey, completely calm.

"You're making a big mistake," I said, breaking the silence.

Frank glared at me.

"Keep your mouth shut."

Lucian slowly turned his head. His dark eyes locked onto mine, heavy and intense. The small space inside the car suddenly felt very hot and crowded.

"A mistake?" Lucian said softly.

"I rarely make mistakes."

He leaned in closer. I could smell his cologne,

It smelled like cedar wood and cold rain.

"You aren't shaking," Lucian said, watching my face carefully. "Your heart should be beating out of your chest. But you look completely fine. Why is that?"

Before I could move an inch, his warm fingers reached out and touched the side of my neck. His thumb rested right against my pulse.

His touch sent a fast spark down my spine. It wasn't soft, but it wasn't painful either. It was a clear show of power.

"Your heart is beating so steadily," he whispered, his thumb lightly tracing my skin. "Who are you really?"

I didn't pull away. Pulling away would show fear, and I wanted him to know I wasn't afraid. Instead, I looked right back into his dark eyes.

"Maybe I just like dangerous men," I said with a small smile. "Or maybe I just know you aren't going to kill me."

Lucian’s eyes darkened. He leaned even closer until his face was inches from mine.

"Don't confuse my curiosity with kindness," he said in a low growl. "I can break you into pieces whenever I want."

"Try it," I whispered back. "Let's see who bleeds first."

Frank cleared his throat nervously from the corner. "Boss, we're almost at the house."

Lucian slowly pulled his hand away, though his fingers lingered on my skin for one second longer.

"Take her down to the lower level," Lucian commanded Frank. "And don't hurt her. I want her intact when I come down."

The "lower level" was a sleek, modern basement built beneath his massive house. It had glass walls, smooth concrete floors, and no windows.

Frank cut my zip-ties with a pocket knife and shoved me into the center of the room. The heavy metal door slammed shut and locked with a loud click.

I stood alone in the dark room, rubbing my wrists.

I quickly checked my surroundings.

Two security cameras in the corners. Reinforcement bars on the air vents. Electronic locks on the door. It was built like a bank vault.

I reached deep inside the hidden pocket of my leather coat. My fingers touched the small, cold metal USB drive I had hidden there.

This little drive held secret files that could ruin the most powerful people in this city. It was the only reason I was down by the docks in the first place. I wasn't just taking a shortcut, I was hunting the man who killed my father five years ago.

I crouched down near the wall and hid the USB drive behind a loose electrical cover on the floor.

Suddenly, the door chimed and opened.

Lucian walked in alone. He had taken off his suit jacket. His dark shirt was unbuttoned at the top, and his sleeves were rolled up, showing strong arms covered in dark tattoos.

Without his jacket, he looked even bigger and more dangerous.

"Looking for a way out?" he asked, walking toward me slowly like a hunter.

"Just checking out the room," I said, standing up and leaning against the wall. "A bit boring for a big mob boss, don't you think?"

Lucian stopped right in front of me. He placed one hand on the wall beside my head, trapping me against the cold concrete.

"You talk too much when you're caught," he said softly, his eyes moving down to my neck.

"And you stand too close when you think you're in charge," I replied, placing my hand right against his chest. I could feel his steady, strong heartbeat beneath his shirt.

His breath caught slightly. He grabbed my hand, but instead of pulling it away, he pressed it firmer against his chest, letting me feel his heat.

"Who sent you tonight?" Lucian asked, his voice dark and demanding. "The police? Or another gang?"

"Nobody," I lied smoothly. "I told you. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Liar," he whispered, leaning down so his lips were right next to my ear. "You didn't cry when my guard pointed a gun at you. You didn't run like a normal person. You act like a soldier."

His hand slid up my arm and rested gently against the back of my neck, holding me still.

"Tell me your name," he commanded softly. "Give me something real."

The tension in the room was thick. I could feel the intense draw between us. He was dangerous and ruthless, but my heart was beating fast from how close he was.

"Maya," I said, giving him a fake name.

Lucian smiled slightly. "Maya," he repeated, testing the name. "A pretty name for a big problem."

Before he could say anything else, a loud alarm started buzzing through the room. Red emergency lights began to flash.

Frank’s voice came through the intercom speaker: "Boss! We have a problem upstairs! Someone is attacking our docks! It's a rival gang!"

Lucian didn't rush. He kept his hand on my neck for one long second, staring into my eyes while the red lights flashed around us.

"It looks like our chat will have to wait, Maya," he said smoothly, stepping back.

"Too bad," I said, forcing a smile. "I was just starting to have fun."

Lucian let out a quiet laugh as he walked toward the door. "Don't get too comfortable. When I come back, you're going to answer all my questions."

The heavy door slammed shut and locked us apart.

The moment he was gone, my smile completely disappeared.

I reached into the inner seam of my pants and pulled out a thin piece of metal wire I had kept hidden the whole time.

Lucian thought he had me locked up in a cage. He had no idea I was already picking the lock, and getting ready to turn his entire world upside down.