RENE P.O.V.

As I walked inside, I exchanged nods with everyone as a customary greeting. The foyer was crowded, with everyone gathered, and I found my seat in the V.I.P. section next to Clarissa. Whatever was about to be discussed must be of significant importance to RedClaw, judging by the full attendance. I couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with him. I sincerely hoped not; it's his fault my mission got delayed. If I ever see that man again, I swear I'll punch him right in his smug face. Just then, Clarissa's dad entered with the board members by his side.

Clarissa's dad greeted everyone with a cheerful yet intense expression. "Today, we take RedClaw a step forward into a better future with a joint collaboration with the one and only... VanGuard!" he announced. He gestured toward the entrance, and out walked a man... Oh no. Why is that man everywhere?! I was so shocked I accidentally squeezed Clarissa's arm, causing her to wince. She glared at me. "What's wrong?" she whispered.

"Don't you recognize him? From last night?" I hissed back.

She looked at me as if I had grown two heads. "Are you serious?"

I returned her look with a confused frown. Then she said, "That's Sebastian Haven, the leader of VanGuard."

VanGuard and RedClaw have always had a rocky relationship. They've stolen each other's targets and clients for years. Clarissa's dad and the former leader of VanGuard were rivals since childhood, with a relationship best described as a love-hate dynamic, like brothers who grew up as enemies due to their families' feuds. Since the former leader stepped down three years ago, VanGuard has only grown stronger, nearly rivaling us as the most feared gang in Germany.

As I was lost in my thoughts, Clarissa's dad finished going over the basics. Sebastian took a seat across the foyer, directly in front of me. I could feel his gaze on me, but I tried to ignore it, focusing instead on the front and chatting with Clarissa. I kept asking her if he was still looking at me, and every time she took a quick glance, she confirmed it. He would look away occasionally, but every time I so much as flinched, his eyes were right back on me.

SEBASTIAN P.O.V.

As I prepared to present myself to the RedClaw gang for the briefing on our new collaboration, I was aware of the tension in the room. Our two groups hadn't exactly been on friendly terms. When I got the signal to go on stage, I introduced myself. In the middle of my speech, I noticed someone not facing me like everyone else. I couldn't quite see her face until I finished and took a seat directly in front of her.

There she is again. The woman from last night. She's driving me insane. I thought about her all day and night, and now she's everywhere I go today. Every time she moved, I couldn't help but look.

Thirty minutes after the briefing, I was talking with Damen when I turned a corner on my way to William's office and bumped into someone. As I looked down, I saw that same woman from last night, now in my arms. I instinctively wrapped my arms around her to keep her from falling.

IRENE P.O.V.

Clarissa's dad had called us to his office, and I was more than glad to hurry there—anything to avoid him for a little while longer. But as I rounded a corner, I collided with something hard. I looked up and met the eyes of the last person I wanted to see: him. He was even taller up close, and I barely reached his chin. Realizing that his strong arms were still around me, I pushed against his chest to free myself, but he only tightened his grip.

"Not even a thank you?" he asked with a smirk.

That face of his... is that even legal? His chiseled jaw, his piercing eyes—I could feel them burning into my soul.

I was snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of someone clearing their throat. It was Clarissa's dad, William. I struggled to free myself from Sebastian's grip, but he didn't budge until, after what felt like forever, he finally let go. I shot him the angriest look I could muster, but he simply ignored me, turning his attention to William. His arrogance was infuriating—more annoying than even Clarissa could be!

The four of us entered the office, and William wasted no time. "Two of you are going on a three-day stakeout," he announced.

I wasn't bothered until I realized he wasn't talking about Clarissa and me—he was talking about me and Sebastian. I opened my mouth to object, but before I could, William cut me off. "No objections!" he declared. Clarissa already had a target she was tracking, and the man with Sebastian was tied up with financial matters. That left just me and him.

"Why us?" I protested. "Can't someone else go instead of me?"

But apparently, this target was a big deal, and Sebastian wanted to take it on personally with some backup. I glanced up at him, and he looked back at me. William announced that we were leaving that evening for the stakeout at a fancy hotel. Resigned, I went back to my apartment to pack. Just as I finished, my phone rang. It was an unknown number.

"Come downstairs, I'm here already," Sebastian's voice said.

"I can go by myself," I replied.

There was a pause before he responded.

SEBASTIAN P.O.V.

William had given me Irene's phone number and address. Irene... it suits her sharp personality. I reached her apartment building and called her. When she picked up, I told her to come downstairs, that I was already there.

"Sebastian... I can go myself," she replied.

Hearing my name in her voice... it never sounded so good. I wanted to hear her say it again.

Fuck. I said it quietly, but I think she heard me. She still asked "what?" though. I told her to come downstairs in five minutes or I'd come up and get her myself. She cut the call almost immediately and came down exactly five minutes later.

Is she testing my patience? This woman...

"Are we going or what?" she said.

"Before we go, we're stopping at my house first," I replied.

I could feel her eyes on me as I spoke. "And why are we going to your house?" she asked.

"Because there's a party tonight, and I'm pretty sure you don't have any dresses with you," I said, raising an eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes but eventually relented. I knew she didn't want to, but she couldn't refuse—she knew I'd get her there one way or another. When we arrived at my mansion, Henry, my butler, opened the door, and the rest of the staff welcomed us in. I instructed the head maid to take Irene to my room and help her change into one of the dresses I'd bought for her.

She looked at me with confusion. "Did you buy them beforehand?" she asked.

"I knew you wouldn't bring any," I replied. She went upstairs, and I watched as the maids brought the dresses in.

I had picked dresses that would flatter her sexy, slim yet curvy figure while complementing her sharp features and those stunning Egyptian blue eyes. She seemed to favor simple, dark-colored clothing, which I also preferred. After twenty minutes, my impatience grew. Then I heard the sound of heels approaching, and when I finally saw her, I was speechless.

The dress hugged her small waist and flowed down with a long slit that revealed her legs. It accentuated her collarbone and chest, making the dress seem even more perfect for her. I was so lost in thought that she was already standing in front of me. She looked at me expectantly and asked, "How do I look?"

"Good..." I said, though the word didn't come close to describing how angelic she looked, even in dark colors. I told her to change before getting in the car since the party was later tonight, and I didn't want anyone else to see her like this.

IRENE P.O.V.

As I went upstairs to choose a dress, I was amazed at how beautiful they all were. How did he know these were my style? Among the seven dresses, one caught my attention. It was revealing but not too much for me. With the maids' help, I put it on and admired how it fit perfectly, accentuating my long legs, collarbone, and chest.

Twenty minutes had passed, and I knew he was getting impatient. As I walked down the stairs, lifting my dress slightly so it wouldn't drag, I noticed his eyes narrowing as he inspected my body. A shiver ran down my spine. His gaze felt like a physical touch. When I reached him, he was still staring, lost in thought. I asked him, "How do I look?" expecting a compliment, but all he said was "good." I felt a pang of irritation.

When I looked into his eyes again, I saw anger and something else—lust. Did I do something wrong? He told me to change and meet him back in the car. I was frustrated. Had I really dressed up for just a word and a few gazes? I didn't bother getting angry with him and changed back into my regular clothes before heading back to the car.

As we drove, a thought crossed my mind. "How do you know my measurements? These dresses fit perfectly."

He then looks at me when we pull up on a red light. "When I bumped into you this morning, I compared my height to yours when you were in my arms. When I wrapped my arms around you, I guessed the width of your waist and the rest," he said.

How can a man make such perfect measurements just in one encounter? Apparently, this man can. He's full of mysteries that I want to solve. I suddenly want to know more about him. The car stopped and I didn't notice. He got off the car and tapped my shoulder, I didn't respond since I was still lost in my thoughts. But when I came to reality, I saw his face right in front of me while I felt his breath on my neck. I felt his short studded beard against my chin. He then looked at me and went back out. I looked beside me at what he was getting and he just got his gun. I quickly realized that my knives were in my bag so I reached for my bag and went inside with him.

Her dress....