Chapter 1 — Prologue: The Devil Doesn’t Take Strays

*Ban**g*!.

A clean shot. Straight through the forehead.

The man’s body slumped in the chair, blood pooling at the back of his skull, soaking into the Persian rug like ink into silk.

..."Satoru Rei" didn’t blink....

He stood still—impeccably dressed in an all-black designer suit, gloves spotless save for the warm metal of the silenced pistol he now lowered at his side. The others in the room barely breathed.

The job was done. One more traitor to the Yurei Syndicate purged.

His silver hair fell messily across his forehead, damp with sweat, his steel-blue eyes cold and calculating behind the soft glow of the chandelier. There was no pleasure in the kill. No thrill.

Just business.

"Clean this up,” he muttered to the men behind him as he walked out, tucking the weapon back into his coat.

The night outside was cool, the city too loud. But it didn’t bother him.

Nothing ever did.

He got into the backseat of his slick black Maybach, but then paused. Something stirred in the air—something sharp and sweet.

A scent. Slightly provoking.

He stepped back out, brow twitching as he adjusted his cuffs, scanning the sidewalk like a wolf that smelled blood. His driver was about to speak, but froze at the sound.

...Crash....

...Glass....

Somewhere ahead, a second-floor window burst open.

Then—a body fell.

A girl. A mess of glitter, sweat, and torn satin. Her heels were gone, her knees bruised, her lip bleeding. She hit the pavement and rolled… then tried to run.

He watched her stumble. She was drunk—no, drugged.

Eyes hazy. Panicked. a heel in her hand like a weapon. She looked like she’d just fought her way out of hell.

"help..." she muttered

Then, right before collapsing, her gaze caught his.

And something flickered.

Not in her.

In him.

He crotched down and caught her before she fell face flat on the brick.

In his arms she was panting and shaking.

Time slowed.

Her bare thighs scraped. Her strapless dress had slipped low. Her chest heaved in short, ragged gasps.

"Faye Magdalene".

He didn’t know her name yet. But the moment he saw her, he knew—

She was a breathtaking.

“Sir?” his driver asked from the car.

Rei didn’t answer. He studied her. Her breathing was shallow. A pulse at her neck fluttered beneath skin so soft he almost forgot he had blood on his gloves.

A soft groan escaped her lips.

He should’ve called someone. Should’ve turned away.

But instead… he scooped her into his arms, stood, and said:

“Take us to the penthouse.”

The driver didn’t dare ask questions.

..

Inside the car, she whimpered something incoherent, one hand loosely gripping Rei’s lapel. Her face pressed to his chest.

And still…

No fear. Just carelessly dozing.

His eyes narrowed. He smirk holding her close.

“This is gonna be interesting.”

He didn’t know then how much this little brat would wreck his routine, his rules, his peace of mind.

But he’d already decided.

She was his now.

...To be continued......

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***