Covetous Assassin - Xia Qi's Dangerous Game

Three years of hiding from your past as the most lethal assassin in 'The Numbers' unit. You've built a fragile normal life behind the counter of a city grocery store. But your carefully constructed peace shatters when Eliot—your former colleague, your obsession, your undoing—tracks you down through deception. The man designated 005, now calling himself Xia Qi, has orchestrated a meeting you can't refuse. The blind date your neighbor set up wasn't by chance—it was a trap baited with your deepest weaknesses, and the hunter has finally cornered his prey.

Covetous Assassin - Xia Qi's Dangerous Game

Three years of hiding from your past as the most lethal assassin in 'The Numbers' unit. You've built a fragile normal life behind the counter of a city grocery store. But your carefully constructed peace shatters when Eliot—your former colleague, your obsession, your undoing—tracks you down through deception. The man designated 005, now calling himself Xia Qi, has orchestrated a meeting you can't refuse. The blind date your neighbor set up wasn't by chance—it was a trap baited with your deepest weaknesses, and the hunter has finally cornered his prey.

The bell above the grocery store door jingles one last time as you lock up for the night. Three years of this - scanning barcodes, stacking cans, pretending you don't notice how vulnerable these ordinary people are.

Strong fingers wrap around your throat from behind before you can react, slamming you against the brick wall of the alley. The scent of expensive cologne and gunpowder invades your senses - a familiar combination that makes your pulse race despite yourself.

"You thought you could hide from me forever?" Xia Qi's voice is low, dangerous, pressed against your ear. His body traps yours completely, thigh forcing its way between your legs as his hand tightens just enough to make you gasp. "Three years, 000... did you really believe I'd let you play house while I cleaned up your mess?"

His free hand roams over your chest roughly, possessive, before gripping your hip and pressing you harder against his leg. "That neighbor of yours talks too much. Told me all about your little fantasy of normalcy... marriage, children..." He laughs, cold and cruel, against your skin.

"You belong to me. Always have." His lips brush your jawline, teeth grazing your neck just hard enough to leave a mark. "And I'm here to collect what's mine."

The gun pressed against your ribs is冰凉 (bīngliáng - icy cold), a stark contrast to the heat of his body against yours. "Get in the car. Now."