Elena sat on the plush couch of her hotel suite, her hands trembling slightly as she stared at the device in Noah's hand.
Her heart pounded in her chest, but her face remained blank—a carefully crafted mask of indifference.
Noah's lips curled into a slow, menacing smirk as he leaned back in his chair.
He held the device between his fingers, turning it over lazily, as though it were a mere trinket and not a lethal tool of betrayal.
His dark eyes never left hers.
"You lost something last night," he drawled, his voice low and mocking.
He placed the device on the coffee table between them, the gesture almost casual.
Almost.
Elena's throat went dry, but she forced a chuckle, her voice light and playful.
"Oh, so you're the one who found it?" she teased, arching a delicate brow.
She leaned forward slightly, closing the distance, her eyes narrowing with feigned amusement.
"I was looking everywhere for it."
Noah's smirk widened—a slow, dangerous curl of his lips.
His fingers brushed against the back of her hand, a deliberate caress that sent a chilling shiver down her spine.
"Were you?" he murmured, his tone laced with mockery.
His gaze locked onto hers, cold and unyielding.
Elena's pulse quickened, but she kept her expression neutral.
"You're scaring me, Noah," she whispered softly, letting her lower lip tremble just slightly.
Her eyes shimmered with false vulnerability—the perfect performance.
For a brief moment, Noah's eyes darkened, and Elena thought she saw something flicker behind them—something almost human.
But it was gone in an instant.
Replaced by the ruthless predator once more.
He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her cheek, and whispered,
"Scared?"
His lips brushed her skin, but his voice was cold enough to burn.
"You should be."
---
Later That Evening – Noah's Villa
Elena stood on the balcony, gripping the railing tightly.
The cool night air stung her cheeks, but it did nothing to calm her racing thoughts.
She was trapped.
Noah knew.
He was toying with her now, watching her squirm, waiting for her next move.
Her hands clenched into fists.
She had always been the perfect spy—the perfect liar.
No hesitation.
No guilt.
But Noah Kingston… he was different.
Dangerous.
Unpredictable.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
She glanced at the screen.
Vincent.
She exhaled sharply before answering.
"I need more time," she blurted out, her voice barely above a whisper.
There was silence on the other end.
Then Vincent's voice came through, sharp and unforgiving.
"Time is a luxury you don't have, Elena."
Her eyes burned with frustration.
"He knows," she admitted, her voice hoarse.
"Noah knows I'm not who I claimed to be."
There was a brief pause.
Then Vincent's voice turned cold as steel.
"Then you know what you have to do."
Elena's stomach twisted.
Her grip on the phone tightened.
Her knuckles turned white.
"No," she said firmly, shaking her head.
"Not yet."
Vincent's voice turned venomous.
"You're becoming weak."
Then he added, his tone low and lethal,
"Don't forget who you are, Elena. If you don't finish this, I will."
The line went dead.
Elena clenched her jaw, her teeth grinding together.
She knew exactly what Vincent meant.
If she didn't complete the mission, she wouldn't live long enough to regret it.
---
Meanwhile – Noah's Study
Noah sat at his desk, his eyes dark and cold as he stared at the photo of Elena on his laptop screen.
The file Logan had handed him earlier lay open before him.
The details were all there—her real name, her connections, and the kill orders Vincent Alvarez had issued.
Noah's fingers slowly traced the edge of the file.
A cruel smile tugged at his lips.
"So, you're not just a liar, Elena…" he muttered, his voice low and lethal.
"You're a traitor."
His gaze drifted to the security footage playing on the screen.
Elena stood on the balcony, her face hard with frustration.
Her hands gripped the railing tightly, her knuckles white with tension.
Noah's eyes narrowed.
"You're running out of moves, sweetheart…" he muttered darkly, a sinister glint in his eyes.
"…but I'm just getting started."
---
The Next Morning – Noah's Private Yacht
Elena stood by the railing, her arms folded tightly across her chest as the yacht cut through the waves.
The salty breeze stung her cheeks, but she barely noticed.
Noah walked up behind her, his presence heavy and commanding.
He slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest.
She stiffened slightly but quickly relaxed, leaning into him.
Her fingers lightly traced his arm, her touch soft and teasing.
"You surprise me, Noah," she murmured.
"I never thought you were the romantic type."
His lips brushed against her ear, his voice low and menacing.
"And I never thought you were the lying type," he whispered darkly.
His hold on her waist tightened—just slightly.
Just enough to send a silent message.
Elena's breath caught in her throat.
But she forced a soft, breathy laugh, masking her fear.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she teased lightly, turning to face him.
Noah's dark eyes bored into hers, his expression calm but deadly.
His thumb lightly brushed her bottom lip, his gaze unreadable.
"It means you should be very careful, Elena…" he murmured softly.
Then he leaned down, his lips brushing against hers, and added in a whisper,
"…because I never play fair."
Her heart pounded violently in her chest, but she didn't pull away.
Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips parting softly against his.
She kissed him—slowly, deliberately, seductively.
Her hands slid into his hair, and she pressed herself against him, feeling the raw tension in his body.
For a moment, she felt his control waver.
His lips became demanding, almost punishing.
And she knew.
She knew that this kiss wasn't about desire—it was a warning.
---
Elena was slipping deeper into Noah's trap, and she knew it.
But what she didn't know was… he was already ten steps ahead.
Noah is aware of Elena's deception but instead of confronting her, he plays along—manipulating her with seduction while tightening his grip.
The tension and danger between them is intensifying. Their attraction is becoming a dangerous weapon, making it impossible for Elena to tell if Noah's touch is a caress or a warning.
See you in next chapter...