Looking back, things were amiss from the first time I met Dominic.

Back then, I was still green at the job and had been badly injured. I'd also yet to develop a habit of sleeping with my targets.

I sauntered into a bar, my black clothes concealing the blood on me perfectly. I drank myself half to death, feeling brooding and pessimistic. I couldn't help but think that my life was over. Being an assassin wasn't glamorous, and I kept getting injured.

People kept trying to hit on me. I lounged lazily with a faint smile on my face, looking like a fragile little thing. No one knew I did the dirtiest, deadliest work in the world.

I was annoyed, but I didn't let it show. Instead, I deliberately put on a show of pouring something into my drink while smiling mischievously, saying, "There's poison in here. You'll die if you drink it."

They wanted to sleep with me, but they didn't even have the nerve to touch the glass because of my words, whether true or false.

I wasn't bored because all the while, I sensed someone lurking in the shadows, their eyes locked on me. Their gaze was blunt and searing, and I could hardly miss it.

I barely had to wait before he showed himself in front of me. He picked up the glass and downed the liquor. The rim hit the counter with a clatter.

The polished surface caught clean, sharp features. He looked down and said softly, "Your wounds will fester if you don't get them treated soon."

I saw the desire roiling beneath the layer of ice in his eyes. He and I were of the same kind, so of course, we slept together.

By the next morning, I was gone. My wounds had been treated, and I was clean. I'd never felt so good before. It was a shame, but I didn't want to have anything to do with regular people.

So, I left a note and a bank card. "Fantastic night. Thanks."

The note was a farewell, and the bank card was his remuneration. It was a polite and detached move.

I thought our paths would never cross again… until a few months down the road, when my boss issued me a new mission to assassinate a mafia boss with an astronomical bounty on him.

The face that had stared back at me was Dominic's.

…

When I woke up, I felt like my body was falling apart. I knew Dominic was no simpleton, but I didn't expect him to be this crazy.

I lifted the blanket and got out of bed. My legs gave out the moment I stood up, and I fell to the floor. My body was marked everywhere, and a thin chain snaked around my ankle. It connected to a spot beneath the bed.

I tugged on it and snorted. "Is this a captivity kink?"

Dominic's voice boomed from out of nowhere. "You're up. Breakfast is on the table. Do you feel okay?"

I turned to see a surveillance camera aiming right at me. He hadn't even tried to hide it.

I grabbed the blanket and pulled it over my body while pointing at the chain. "Explain this."

Dominic's voice sounded unbelievably calm as it came from the surveillance camera. "It looks good."

I was baffled. Then, I narrowed my eyes, and my expression turned icy.

Dominic's tone shifted as he added, "Yes, I've taken you as my prisoner."

I was at a loss for words. Thanks, but I didn't need him to state the obvious.

His voice sounded a little glum. "It's the oldest story in the book. The evil dragon falls in love with the princess, but she doesn't belong to him. So, he locks her in an ivory tower, making sure that she can't ever leave."

I said coolly, "The princess ultimately gets saved by the prince, though."

He chuckled. "My story doesn't come with a prince."

In other words, he was confident he could keep me locked up in here forever.

I snorted and said sarcastically, "I don't like you, Dominic. What's the point of you doing this?"

He was unfazed. "Is that so? You felt so good that you cried last night, though. Or was I mistaken?"

Once again, I was rendered speechless. Dominic was tall and handsome. Could anyone keep themselves from getting turned on by such a striking face and body?

For once, I didn't clap back.

Initially, I clung to a shred of hope that this was just one of Dominic's whims. He would let me go once he was tired of me and the game.

Three days later, all my things were packed neatly and dropped off at the villa.

A week later, everything in the house started coming in pairs.

A month later, Dominic opened my door while holding a pillow. "You've had a month to process this. Have you accepted reality yet?"

I had nothing to say. I had indeed accepted reality, thank you very much.

I backed away when I saw his eyes darken with lust. "Hold on. I think I might need more time to process this…"

Dominic pressed his body to mine. "Talk to him, not me."

I couldn't accept that I'd failed my job just like that. So, I started a daily routine of attempting to assassinate Dominic.

The first time, I hid a dagger behind me, wanting to kill him in one strike when his guard was down. I ended up being pinned to the table as he slashed my clothes open with the dagger.

The iciness of the table and the dagger made me jolt. "Wait, I can explain…"

Dominic tapped his cheek.

Huh?

He shot me a look. "Kiss me, and I'll forgive you."

My jaw dropped. Then, I shakily kissed him. It was humiliating, but I couldn't take him in a fight.

The second time, I reflected on my mistakes and opted for the poison route. I used the poison that I kept for extreme situations—a tiny drop would instantly make one froth at the mouth.

I made sure to lace the wine with it beforehand, and I smiled gently as I watched him pick up his glass and hold it to his lips.

When he paused, my heart shot to my throat. "What's wrong?"

He laughed. "You know there are surveillance cameras in the room, right?"

I was silent for a moment. Then, I slowly looked up with a smile that didn't meet my eyes. "Isn't that for show?"

Dominic put down the glass, drawling, "There are real ones in places you can't see."

I clenched my fists and downed my drink, which I hadn't poisoned. After a moment, I tugged at my collar. "Why's it getting so warm?"

His eyes darkened, and he said huskily, "I put something in your drink, too."

I tried to fight back my body's reaction, but I panted as I snarled, "I'm going to kill you, Dominic…"

He tapped the corner of his lips, unruffled. "Kiss me, and I'll give you the antidote."

Damn him. I would remember this. I needed to get the antidote first.

I glared at him and reluctantly gave him a peck on the lips.

Dominic's lips slowly curved into a smile. Then, he bent down and scooped me up.

"You said you'd give me the antidote, Dominic! You're a liar!" I yelled while flailing.

He smacked me on the backside. "Stop moving. It's the same if I act as your antidote."

When he tossed me onto the bed, I only had one thought in mind—I was doomed.

Dominic had imprisoned me, restricted my rights, broken his promises, and gone back on his word. His vile deeds were too numerous to list.

I swore I would take him down. I had to kill him!

…

After trying and failing multiple times, I switched tactics. I lay in wait at night for a surprise ambush.

Dominic came home drunk, which was rare. His guard was down, so I managed to pin him to the floor before straddling him. I wrapped my hands around his neck and slowly tightened my grip.

"Where's my gun?" I snarled, my grip relentless. I didn't hold back.

He started finding it hard to breathe. His fingers twitched upward at me.

I looked down at where he pointed and frowned. "What does that mean? I asked you where my gun—"

Something clicked in my mind. Then, I snapped, "What the hell is wrong with you, Dominic?"

I'd seen plenty in my life, but no one had ever toyed with me like this. For a moment, I was both angry and embarrassed.

It was all Dominic's fault for being so sick in the head. He'd infected me with his insanity!

He coughed softly, his Adam's apple quivering as if he were laughing.

I tightened my grip further and threatened him in a low voice. "You don't know what it's like to suffocate, do you? You'd better savor it before you die."

Dominic's expression finally shifted, and his voice grew strained. He was on the brink of death. Suddenly, he laughed. He slowly lifted his hands and pried my fingers off his throat, interlacing them with his before yanking me to him.

I was caught off guard and pulled so close that he could press his lips to my ear. His voice was hoarse and dripping with an odd sense of satisfaction. "It feels so damn good."