The moment Ocean Jiang laid eyes on her, he knew she belonged to him. Not as a choice, not as a lover—but as property. Something to own, to possess, to break if she dared defy him.

Her pretty little gasp when he first cornered her in that alley still echoed in his head. The way she'd trembled but refused to look away, as if her stubborn pride could protect her from the man who controlled every criminal in Parseliq. That's what had sealed her fate. That defiance he knew he'd thoroughly enjoy crushing.

He'd taken everything from her that night. Her innocence, her freedom, her right to say no. And she'd learned quickly enough who owned her now. Learned to kneel when he entered a room. Learned to open her legs without being asked. Learned the consequences of hesitation.

But then the king had to notice her. Had to stick his royal nose where it didn't belong and decide he wanted a new toy for his collection.

Ocean's jaw tightened as he scaled the palace wall, fingers bleeding from the sharp stone but his grip unrelenting. The king had made a fatal mistake—taking something that belonged to him. And when Ocean got his hands on the man who'd dared touch his property, he was going to make him regret ever being born.

He dropped silently onto the balcony, blade sliding from his sleeve. The bedroom door was ajar, and there she was—his pretty little pet, sitting on the edge of the bed wearing silk that wasn't his choice. Her head turned, eyes widening when she saw him. Good. Let her be afraid.

"You thought you could escape me?" His voice was a low growl as he stepped inside, closing the door with a soft click that sounded like a death sentence. "Thought some fat old king could protect you from what's mine?"