chapter 28

In the dimly lit corner of the bar, a phone screen flow faintly as a message came through.

"Boss, the work is done.I've settled the driver too. Your prey is entering the bar."

The waiter stood near the entrance, his posture relaxed, but his grin was anythingexcept innocent. His eyes flicker towards Adam, who had just stepped inside, completely unware of the trap closing around him.

On the other end ,a voice message came throughwith a low chuckle rumbled through the speaker."Good,"came the reply, voice in smoothalmost amused."Make sure everything goes as planned.I don't want any interruptions

The waiter replied with message."Understood" as the message went and was seen . The waiter cleared all the history and walked ahead.

As Adam dissappeared up the stair towards the private lounge, the waiter signaled to the bartender.

Tonight was going to be interesting.

As Adam stepped back into the bar, the atmosphere was still lively, soft music played in the background, glasses clinked and quiet conversation filled the space. The dim light cast a long shadows, making everything feels slightly hazy.

At first, he went to check the spot where they had parted earlier.His eyes scanned the table, the cough, and even the floor. Everything was there except his phone.

Frowning he exhaled and ran his fingers through his hair and thought,Maybe I let it in the room after all.

With that thought, he turned and headed toward the private lounge. Adam pushed the door to the private room , a soft creak of the hinges barely audible over the muffled sounds of the bar outside.The dim lighting cast long shadows in the room, but his gaze immediately caught locked onto a small object lying on the table.

His phone

Reflief flooded through him. Finally.He stepped forward, reaching out to grab it, but as his finger brushed his mobile phone, a strange wave of dizziness hit him.

His grip flatered.His breathing turned shallow,his skin prickling with an uncomfortable warmth. It was not just dizziness anymore---his body began to felt wrong.

Adam stumbled slightly, catching himself on the edge of the table. His vision blurred at the edges, and his mind felt like it was slipping between reality and something else. The room felt like it was floating on the edge.

Was it the drink?

His thoughts were sluggish, fragmented. He tried to shake the feeling off,but then

The door behind him shut with click.

As he turned his head towards the door, a low voice echoed from the corner of the room

I was wondering when you'd come back.

The voice was smooth, deep yet dangerous for the Adam. A shiver curled down Adam spine.

A predator's patients. That's what was it. The man had been waiting.

Adam's finger tightened around his phone, a bead of sweat sliding down his temple."Who...". He swallowed hard, trying again."Who are you"

The man didn'tdidn't answer it immediately. Instead he slowed down his movement deliberately. He took a step forward, calm unhurried as if he had all the time in the world.

The man tilted his head slightly, while Adam was being pushed to the wall, studying him. Afaint smile tugged at his lips, unreadable. "How do you feel?"

The question made Adam's skin prickle. It wasn't concern. No, there was something almost amused in the way he asked. As if he already knew the answer.

Adam clenched his jaw. He knew. This man—whoever he was—knew exactly what was happening to him.

The man's gaze lingered on Adam as he spoke, his voice smooth and almost mocking.

Enough of the chitchat. In about one minute, your body will start to feel hot. You won't be able to fight against it, and you will come back to your senses on your own.

The words were like a weight settling in Adam's chest, heavy with the knowledge that he knew he was loosing control. His head swam, the drug taking it's effect flowing through his veins, pulling at his consiciousness, trying to drown him.

Adam clenchedhis fist, trying to focus, trying to hold on. His body was already starting to feel like it was on fire, a scorching heat spreading from inside out. His skin tingled, sensitive to every little brush of air.

But how long could he hold on?He taken so much of the drink. His thought flickered, his resolve weakening.

The man eyes darkened with satisfaction, watching as Adam struggled against the inevitable pull of drug. Adam's body was betraying him—radiating warmth, the scent of his skin growing stronger, more intoxicating. It seemed to excite the man, his smirk widening as he stepped closer.

As Adam tried to step back, his legs gave up. The heat was almost unbearable now, his head spinning,but he couldn't let himself collapse. He wouldn't . He couldn't.

Before Adam could even react, the man strong's hands grabbed him , pulling him roughly towards the couch. Adam attempts to push him resulted to nothing, his strength slipping away by the seconds.

Don't bother,"the man murmured, his breath hot against Adam earsas he shoved him down onto the couch."You are not going out of this today."

Ada body hit the cushions with thud, as he gasped for air trying to foucus on anything, anything which would help him in this situation.

But the man was quick. He pinned Adam beneath him,sat on his stomach, his grip as he restrained Adam's hand and tying them with ease. The movement felt suffocating oppressive Adam's breath hitched, but there was still a flicker of defiance in his eyes. This wasn't over.

The man leaned down, his lips brushing against Adam neck as he kissed him roughly . The bite was sharp almost possessive,and Adam could feel the man's breath against his skin. But in that moment, something twisted inside him—a wave of disgust flooded over Adam as he realized what was happening.

Adam body was still burning with the drugs's effect, revolted the at the man's touch. Adam's mind screamed in protest, but the drug dulled his ability to react quickly,trapping him in a haze that made every sensation more vivid, more suffocating. The warmth of the man's lips, the pressure of his hands—they were wrong, unnatural, and every kiss felt like a violation.

Adam tried to shift, to push the man away , but the weight of the am and with drugs pushed him down instead. The man's hands works swiftly, one hand still trying to unbottom Adam's dress while other tightened around his wrist, locking him in place.It felt like a cage, each movement from the man a reminder of the control he had over Adam—a control Adam didn't want.

Adam's heart raced, not with desire, but growing sense of panic and revulsion. Each time the man's lips touch his skin, it felt like his soul recoiled. He could feel the man breath's on his neck the weight of his body close but all Adam could think how much he wanted to be free free from the drug, free from this man touch.