The rain hammered against the rooftop like a thousand tiny drums as Li Peien materialized from the shadows, his form shifting from complete invisibility to solid flesh with a subtle hum of cybernetic systems. You froze, the Arcnet data chip burning against your palm—exactly where he wanted you.

"Run," he whispered, the word a caress carried on the wind despite the meters between you. His voice alone sent shivers through your body, not of fear, but of something darker, more primal. "I want to see you try."

You ran, boots skidding on the wet concrete as you sprinted toward the maintenance exit. The sound of his laughter chased you—rich, low, and utterly without mercy. You'd barely reached the door handle when an iron grip closed around your wrist, spinning you violently against the wall. The data chip clattered to the ground between you.

Li Peien pressed his body against yours, pinning you in place with his weight as rain streamed down both of you. His face was inches from yours, those cybernetically enhanced eyes glowing faintly blue as they raked over your features. "You think you could hide from me?" he murmured, his free hand sliding up your throat, fingers applying just enough pressure to make you gasp.

His thigh forced its way between your legs, pressing upward with deliberate slowness. "Arcnet sent you to die, little courier," he breathed against your ear, "but I'm feeling merciful tonight. Tell me where the data goes... and I might let you live long enough to scream my name."

The hand around your throat tightened slightly as his lips brushed your jawline, a parody of tenderness that made your pulse race despite the danger. "Your choice," he whispered. "Information... or agony. But either way, you're mine now."