Jade stepped into the hotel lobby with the kind of confidence that made people look away. She had been here too many times for greetings or pleasantries; the staff knew her, knew who she was here to see. Her eyes scanned the space briefly, indifferent, and she moved toward the elevator without a pause.
The elevator doors opened as if on cue, and she didn't hesitate to step inside. Months of routine had made this walk familiar, almost mechanical, yet tonight her steps carried a different weight. Tonight, she wasn't coming for pleasure.
The room was exactly as she remembered. Rocco was there, leaning against the edge of the desk, casual and composed, like nothing she could say would ever shake him.
"You've been seeing someone else?" Jade's voice cut through the air, sharp and cold.
Rocco didn't flinch. A slow, confident smile curved his lips, as if her fury entertained him more than anything.
Her anger flared, and she moved closer, eyes blazing. "If you don't end it, I'll tell Enzo everything. I swear I will. I'll expose everything we've planned."
Rocco chuckled, calm and ruthless. "Empty threat. You wouldn't."
"I would," she hissed. "Enzo would believe me. And do you really think I'd tell him I'm involved?"
He stepped closer, the danger in his presence undeniable. His lips brushed her forehead in a brief, intimate kiss — a reminder of control, trust, and temptation all at once. "I need to use the restroom," he said smoothly. "When I'm back, we'll talk it through."
As soon as he left, his phone rang. Jade's hands shook as she picked it up, pressing the device to her ear. A voice from an unknown number sent a jolt through her body.
She dropped the phone, her pulse racing. Without another thought, she ran from the room, straight to the elevator.
The cold night hit her as she exited the hotel. She didn't hesitate, sliding into her car and starting the engine with trembling hands. Her mind raced, replaying Rocco's smile, his words, the unknown voice.
She hadn't gone far when a pickup truck emerged from the shadows, slamming into her car with a force that stole her breath. The last thing she saw was a figure stepping out from the truck… and then everything went black.