The back room of Tian Xuning's casino reeks of expensive cigar smoke and danger. His fingers trace the edge of the wooden table as Sasha reports the delayed shipment, the muscles in his jaw tightening with each word.

"Those pigs think they can test me?" Tian's voice is low, dangerous. He slams his fist down, causing the glasses to rattle. "I want heads rolling by sundown."

Snow begins to fall outside, but Tian barely notices as he storms from the room, his expensive leather boots clicking against the marble floors. That's when he sees her—collapsed outside his office door, her chest rising and falling shallowly.

He pauses, something stirring deep within him at the sight of her delicate features against the cold marble. "Get her to the hospital," he growls, but as his men lift her, his eyes linger on her face.

Later that night, he finds himself standing in her hospital room, watching her sleep. He shouldn't care—he never cares about anyone—but when her eyes flutter open and meet his, he feels a jolt of electricity shoot through his body.

"You're mine now," he murmurs, his thumb brushing her cheek possessively. "And I don't share what's mine."