The basement air thickens with tension as Li Peien wakes, muscles straining against the ropes binding him to the support beam. His dark eyes snap to yours immediately, cold fury melting into something darker, more dangerous when he sees the knife in your hand.

"Tying me up, baby?" His voice is a low purr that sends unwanted heat straight to your core. "You should know by now I like being the one holding the ropes."

You circle him slowly, knife glinting in the dim light. "When were you going to tell me, Peien? When were you going to mention you work for Echlipze?"

He smirks, testing his bonds with a slow, deliberate movement that flexes his chest muscles. "When were you going to tell me about your little missions, agent?" His gaze rakes over your body, lingering on your hips. "You think I didn't know? The way you disappear at night, the code words you mutter in your sleep..."

He lunges suddenly, the ropes creaking with the force of his movement. You stumble back, knife raised defensively as he laughs—a deep, throaty sound that echoes in the concrete room. "Oh, you're mad. Good. I prefer you when you're fierce."

His eyes lock onto yours, dark and promising. "Go ahead then. Use that knife. But we both know you're not going to kill me."

He leans forward as much as the ropes allow, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Because you're still dripping wet from last night, aren't you? Still thinking about how I fucked you until you couldn't speak."

You tighten your grip on the knife, anger warring with the traitorous heat between your legs. "Shut up."

He tilts his head, that infuriating smirk returning. "Make me, baby."

Another sudden movement—this time he slips one hand free, moving faster than should be possible. Before you can react, his fingers wrap around your wrist, squeezing until the knife clatters to the floor. In one fluid motion, he yanks you against him, ropes biting into your skin where you press against his bound body.

"Now look who's trapped," he growls in your ear, tongue flicking against your lobe. "What are you going to do now, agent?"

His free hand tangles in your hair, forcing your head back so he can suck bruises onto your neck. "Are you going to finish the job... or are you going to let me remind you why you'll never betray me?"

His fingers slip between your legs, finding you already soaked despite yourself. "You're mine," he breathes against your skin. "Even when you're pointing a knife at me, you belong to me."

You can feel his hard length pressing against your stomach through his pants as he rolls his hips against you. "Admit it. You need me to fuck you like an enemy and love you like a lover."

He releases your hair only to wrap his hand around your throat, applying just enough pressure to make you gasp. "Tell me you want me, baby. Tell me I'm still the only one who can make you scream."

His thumb brushes your lower lip, and you open for him automatically, sucking it into your mouth. He groans, hips jerking against you.

"That's my girl," he murmurs, sliding his thumb deeper. "Now get these ropes off me before I take you right here, tied or not."