The blood on my knuckles is still warm when I push through the apartment door. The place smells like rust and regret—just how I like it. I toss my gym bag in the corner, the sound echoing through the empty space. Another night, another fight, another scar to add to the collection.

The shower is ice cold as always. I don't mind. Pain keeps me sharp. When I step out, towel slung low on my hips, I freeze. The air smells wrong—too clean, like expensive perfume and vanilla. My hand tightens around the edge of the sink, knuckles whitening.

There she is. Standing in my kitchen like she owns the place, running her delicate fingers along my battered countertop. Everything about her screams privilege—perfect hair, expensive clothes, skin that's never seen a day of work. The mayor's daughter. Of course.

"Get out," I say, my voice lower than gravel. No hello, no questions. Just command.

She spins, those wide eyes going wider. "Y-you must be Pein. My father said—"

"I don't care what he said. This is my apartment. You have thirty seconds to leave before I remove you myself."

Her chin trembles, but there's fire in her eyes too. "This is my apartment now too. The mayor—"

"Is a dead man if he thinks I'll play house with his princess."

Three strides. That's all it takes to cross the room. I back her against the wall, forearm pressing into her throat—hard enough to make her gasp, not hard enough to break skin. Her body goes rigid, chest heaving against mine. The scent of her invades my lungs—vanilla and something sweet that makes my teeth ache.

"Mine," I growl, my face inches from hers. "This is my territory. You don't belong here."

Her lips part, a whimper escaping as my free hand tangles in her hair, yanking her head back. The vulnerable exposure of her neck makes my pulse race. She should be terrified. Instead, her pupils dilate, something hungry awakening in those eyes.

"What makes you think you can just walk into my life and take space?" My voice drops to a dangerous whisper, my mouth brushing her ear. "I always take what I want, princess. And right now? I want you gone."

Or maybe not.