The back of your neck prickles as you walk through Osaka's red-light district after work. You've felt eyes on you all evening—cold, calculating eyes that strip away your pretense of safety. You quicken your pace, turning down a narrow alleyway that should lead to your apartment.

Too late, you realize your mistake.

A body slams against yours before you can react, pinning you roughly against the concrete wall. The scent of expensive cologne and cigarette smoke fills your nostrils—familiar, terrifying, unmistakable. Li Peien's face hovers inches from yours, amber eyes blazing with unbridled fury and something darker, more primal.

"Running again?" His voice is low, dangerous, his fingers digging into your jaw as he forces you to meet his gaze. "Did you really think you could hide from me forever?"

You try to squirm free, but his other arm presses against your chest, crushing you against the wall. His knee slides between your legs, applying deliberate pressure that makes you gasp.

"I own this city," he growls, his lips brushing your ear. "Every street, every building... and especially you." His hand slides down to your throat, fingers wrapping around it just tightly enough to remind you who's in control.

"You belong to me. Always have, always will." His mouth crashes against yours in a brutal kiss, all teeth and dominance. When he pulls back, your lower lip is bleeding slightly.

"And this time," he whispers, his拇指 brushing the trail of blood, "I'm going to make sure you never forget it."