Chapter 2

Christian raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to continue.

"Years ago, when your precious Lily first tried to escape you... that private helicopter she used?"

I paused and let every word sink in. "My boyfriend, Tyler, helped her. He worked part-time at the private aviation club and used his access to steal it from the inside."

The air froze for a second.

Christian stared at me. A flicker of surprise finally appeared in his bottomless eyes.

He didn't speak. He just picked up his metal lighter and flicked it open with a sharp *clack*. A blue flame danced, lighting up his deep eyes.

The flame died, and the lighter closed with a crisp click.

The surprise in his eyes settled into cold amusement.

"What a coincidence," he said slowly, each word dripping with ice. "I was never just planning to capture my runaway bird."

"I'm hunting both of these reckless..."

"Thieves."

"Pleasure doing business with you, Chloe."

Before the predatory smile in his eyes could fully fade, I was already holding the Black Card up to the window light, inspecting it closely.

The heavy, dramatic tension from a moment ago was instantly washed away by the very real touch of this little card.

I had to be realistic. Screw love. Money was the only real thing.

I plastered a bright, almost cheeky smile on my face.

I leaned in slightly. I could smell the rich, unlit tobacco scent from his cigar.

"So... Christian,"

I waved the card in my hand, keeping my tone light and deliberately friendly. "We're strategic partners now, right?"

Christian didn't say anything. He just leaned back, putting the unlit cigar between his lips again.

He watched me with amusement, as if watching a puppy perform a trick.

Did his silence mean yes? I got bolder.

"Then, as your close accomplice,"

"I should probably know how my 'weapon' performs, right?"

I held up the Black Card, my eyes shining. "What's the limit on this? I mean... how much can I spend before it beeps and says 'insufficient funds'?"

Christian let out a soft laugh from his nose. I couldn't tell if it was mockery or genuine amusement.

"No limit."

My heart skipped a beat. I forced myself to stay calm. "Oh... no limit? Sounds fancy. But Christian, you know I'm a very insecure person."

I blinked, putting on my most sincere, worried face. "You won't cancel the card after I buy a couple of designer bags, right? That would be a terrible deal for me. I'm taking all the risks here. I don't want to end up with nothing, especially when I have to worry about my ex's... well, parts."

I stopped myself just in time, but my message was loud and clear.

I wanted the money, but it had to be secure. No take-backs.

"Chloe,"

He spoke. "I, Christian Vance, never take back what I give."

"This card is an independent account registered under your name. As long as you bring Lily back to me in one piece, you can spend every penny however you want."

"As for canceling it..."

He paused, his lips curving into a brutal smile.

"It will remain active forever. Unless you betray me."

He stood up. His towering figure immediately cast a heavy shadow over me.

"And the price of betraying me," he looked down at me, his eyes freezing cold, "is something you will feel much more deeply than Tyler."

He left it at that. Without another look, he turned and walked out with his men.

The door clicked shut. The room fell into dead silence, leaving only me and the burning hot Black Card in my hand.

The smile faded from my face. I looked down at the smooth black surface of the card. It reflected my pale face.

*Do whatever I want with it...*