Chapter 9 PLAYING WITH

Eva slipped the black dress over her body and let the silk cling to her curves like sin. No bra. No underwear. No protection-just the way Dominic said Leon liked it.

She stared at herself in the mirror of the luxury suite they'd broken into just hours ago. The red light from the nearby club washed her skin in a glow that made her look like a devil's promise.

"You sure you can do this?" Dominic asked from behind her.

She met his eyes in the mirror. "Are you sure you can watch me do it?"

He didn't answer at first. He just walked toward her, his black dress shirt unbuttoned, tattoos peeking through. He stopped inches away, his heat blanketing her.

"I'll be right outside," he said, brushing her bare shoulder with his knuckles. "One wrong move and I put a bullet between his eyes."

Her lips curved into something dark.

"That's not the part I'm worried about."

Dominic grabbed her chin, tilting it up until her lips parted. "Then what are you worried about, *angel*?"

"That I'll like it too much."

His jaw clenched. His thumb grazed her bottom lip.

"Just remember who you're doing this for."

"I'm doing it for me," she whispered.

And that was the truth. She wasn't just bait anymore.

She was the trap.

---

An hour later, the music pounded through the walls of the private club, bass syncing with her heartbeat.

Leon Rivera walked in like he still owned her.

Eva sat at the edge of the bar, drink in hand, legs crossed high, that black silk dress showing just enough to stop hearts. And maybe start wars.

His eyes found her instantly. And he smiled like she was a ghost he'd prayed would haunt him.

"Eva," he drawled, stepping close, reeking of money and power and lies. "Damn, you look good enough to be forgiven."

She let him kiss her cheek.

Let his hand trail down her back, linger at the small of it.

Let him believe she was still his.

"I needed to see you," she said softly, leaning in, letting him smell her perfume. "It's been hell without you."

He smirked, hands bold now, slipping low. "You could've called."

"I didn't want to be heard," she said. "Some things are better whispered."

He slid onto the seat beside her. "Are you still mad at me?"

She laughed lightly, tracing the rim of her glass with a finger.

"I've never stopped being mad at you, Leon. Doesn't mean I stopped wanting you."

His pupils darkened.

Got him.

"Then let's fix that," he murmured, standing. "Come upstairs with me."

She gave a calculated pause-then nodded.

He led her past security, through halls that reeked of velvet sin, up a private elevator to the penthouse suite.

And all the while, she felt Dominic's eyes on her from the shadows.

---

The suite door shut behind them.

Leon turned, fire already building in his stare.

"You wore this for me?" he asked, fingers grazing the hem of her dress, lifting it inch by inch.

Eva smiled. "I wore it for what's underneath."

He raised an eyebrow.

She took his hand, dragged it between her thighs.

"No panties," she whispered.

Leon groaned.

And just like that, he shoved her against the wall, mouth on her neck, teeth grazing skin.

But Eva didn't flinch.

She *fed* on it.

Because every gasp, every grope, every stroke brought her closer to the truth.

He spun her, pressing her to the glass overlooking the city.

"Miss this?" he growled, lifting her dress.

"I miss *control,*" she hissed.

He froze. Just long enough.

She shoved him backward. Hard.

He stumbled. Shocked.

And Eva-cool, calm, dangerous-turned and said:

"I remember everything now, Leon. Every word you fed me while you watched them die."

His eyes widened.

She smiled, lethal and lovely. "Now it's your turn."

The door burst open.

Dominic.

Gun in hand.

Face like the end of the world.

Leon reached for his waistband-but Eva was faster.

She kicked his leg out, knocked him to the ground, heel pressing against his throat.

"Careful," she purred. "This dress is expensive."

Dominic walked in slowly, gun trained, voice like smoke.

"Hello, old friend."

Leon spat blood, coughing. "You used her. Both of you-*you set me up.*"

Dominic crouched low. "You used her first. I'm just better at it."

Eva turned her heel, not enough to kill-just enough to hurt.

Leon choked, coughing again.

Dominic handed Eva the gun.

"Your call."

Eva took it. Warm, heavy in her hands. It felt right.

She looked Leon in the eyes.

And then... she fired.

Not at his heart.

But at the wall behind his head.

Leon screamed, flinching.

Eva smiled.

"That was for the past," she said.

Dominic raised an eyebrow. "And the future?"

She lowered the gun. "We make him bleed *slow*."

Dominic's grin was wicked.

And then he was on her again-hands, mouth, *desire*-the thrill of danger igniting the spark they'd lit earlier.

They didn't wait until they left.

Not this time.

Dominic pressed her against the same glass Leon had tried to own her against.

But now-*she owned everything.*

He slid into her with a growl, her moan echoing across the suite.

"Mine," he said into her throat.

"All yours," she gasped.

And they moved like war-fierce, raw, unforgiving.

Blood still fresh.

Gun still warm.

Love tangled in violence and victory.

---

By the time they walked out, Leon was tied to the chair, bleeding and barely conscious.

Dominic dropped a burner phone in his lap.

"Call them. Tell them she's coming."

Leon's swollen eyes blinked.

"Why?" he croaked.

Eva leaned down, lips to his ear.

"Because I want them to *know* what's coming."

Then she walked away in silk and sin, Dominic by her side.

And the city-

That filthy, violent, unforgiving city-

Would never be the same.