Maze of sin

She woke up to a dull ache radiating through her body. Her wounds from before had barely begun to heal, and now there were fresh ones to add to her misery. Blinking against the soft morning light, she became acutely aware of her state. The realization hit her like a thunderclap—she was dressed in nothing but her undergarments.

Memories of the previous night surged through her mind, each fragment flashing with alarming clarity. How had she ended up like this? And worse, he had seen her like this. The thought was mortifying. No one had seen her so exposed, so vulnerable, since she was a child—back when her mother cared for her.

Her cheeks burned with humiliation. She wanted to vanish, to dissolve into nothingness. She instinctively pulled the blanket closer, wrapping it around her trembling body like a shield against the world.

Just then, the door creaked open. Her heart stopped.

He stepped inside, holding a tray with breakfast. The scent of warm toast and tea filled the room, but it did little to calm her racing pulse. She froze, unsure of what to say or how to face him.

"I thought you might be hungry," he said, his voice calm but tinged with a softness that unsettled her.

She didn't respond. Instead, she slid further under the blanket, as though it could shield her from his gaze, his kindness, and the overwhelming embarrassment threatening to drown her.

He placed the tray on the bedside table and stepped back, giving her space. His eyes softened as he noticed the trembling bundle under the blanket.

"You don't have to hide," he said gently, his tone cautious, almost hesitant.

Her grip on the blanket tightened. Hide? How could she not? Her voice came out muffled, barely audible. "Please leave."

"I'm not here to make you uncomfortable," he replied, a tinge of concern threading his words. "You were hurt. I only did what I had to…to help."

His words hung in the air, heavy with sincerity. She peeked out just enough to meet his gaze, her eyes wide with a mix of apprehension and disbelief. "You…you saw me."

"I didn't look," he said quickly, his expression earnest. "I just…made sure you were okay."

Her face flushed deeper. "No one's ever seen me like this…" she whispered, her voice breaking.

His jaw tightened, guilt flickering across his face. "I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to invade your privacy. But you were burnt it was an explosion it could have been serious . There wasn't time to think about—" He stopped mid-sentence, realizing his words were only making her shrink further into the blanket.

After a moment of silence, he stepped closer, his movements careful, deliberate. He reached for the tray and held it out to her. "At least eat something. You'll feel better."

She hesitated, her stomach twisting—not just from hunger but from the vulnerability of the moment. Slowly, she pulled the blanket down just enough to free her hands and took the plate he offered.

"Thank you," she murmured, barely meeting his eyes.

He nodded, his expression unreadable. "Take your time. I'll be outside if you need me."

As he turned to leave, she found herself speaking before she could stop. "Wait."

He stopped but didn't turn back. She swallowed hard, forcing the words out. "Thank you…for everything."

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, without looking at her, he said softly, "You don't have to thank me. Just…take care of yourself."

And with that, he left, closing the door quietly behind him. She exhaled shakily, her heart pounding as she stared at the untouched breakfast. Despite her lingering embarrassment, she couldn't deny the strange comfort his presence had brought.

As she picked at the toast on her plate, she heard his footsteps again. This time, his stride was firm, purposeful. The door opened just enough for him to step inside. She glanced up, startled by the intensity in his eyes.

"I need to talk to you," he said, his voice steady but low. He walked over to the window, his gaze fixed outside for a moment before turning back to her. "You're staying here get some rest I've already increased the security around the building. No one will get in without my permission."

Her brows furrowed"but"

He cut her off gently. "You're not safe. Not yet. After what happened… I can't risk it." His jaw clenched, the memory of her being hurt flashing in his mind. "This place is secure, and until I'm back do not step outside.Do you understand?"

She bit her lip, struggling with the idea of being left behind. "What about you? Where are you going?"

He hesitated, his expression softening just enough to show a hint of vulnerability. "I have something to take care of. But I'll be back. Once this is over, I'll take you out—anywhere you want. We'll visit the places you've been dreaming about here in Switzerland. But for now, I need you to trust me and stay safe."

Her stomach knotted at the thought of him facing danger alone. "What if something happens to you?" she asked, her voice trembling.

He knelt by her side, meeting her eyes. "Nothing will happen to me," he said firmly. "I've faced worse before. I'll be back before you know it."

Before she could protest further, he stood up and walked toward the door.

---

Outside, his calm demeanor cracked, revealing the storm brewing within him. He strode to his car, his mind replaying the information he'd squeezed out of the hostage. Kuragari. The biggest hub for smuggling.

The name sent a chill down his spine. It wasn't a place for amateurs, but he wasn't new to this world. He'd faced darker shadows before.

He tightened his grip on the steering wheel as he sped through the winding roads, heading toward the coordinates he'd been given. The image of the man he was supposed to find etched itself in his mind: a cross tattoo beneath his eyes, four fingers on one hand. A chilling detail, but one he wouldn't forget.

The instructions echoed in his head: Do not offer him money at first. Gain his trust. He will lead you to Black Shadow. And Black Shadow will take you to the mastermind behind the attack.

His jaw clenched at the thought of the attack, of her being taken, hurt. This wasn't just a mission—it was personal. Whoever had orchestrated this would pay.

As the car approached the outskirts of Kuragari, the atmosphere grew heavier. The bustling streets and dim alleys were filled with faces that hid secrets, every shadow seeming to harbor danger. He parked a safe distance away, slipping on a jacket that concealed his weapon.

Find the man with the cross tattoo. No mistakes.

With one last glance at the skyline, he muttered under his breath, "This ends now."

And then he disappeared into the heart of Kuragari, where danger awaited at every corner.

Kuragari was a maze of sin and shadows. The stench of desperation hung heavy in the air, mingling with the acrid smoke of cheap cigarettes and the metallic tang of blood. His eyes scanned the crowd as he moved through the chaotic streets. The man he sought had a distinct mark—a cross tattoo beneath his eyes—and a missing finger.

After an hour of weaving through narrow alleys and observing the illicit dealings around him, he finally spotted the man sitting on a rickety stool outside a dimly lit bar. The cross tattoo was unmistakable, the missing finger even more so.

The man was surrounded by a small group, all rough-looking and armed, laughing raucously over a bottle of cheap whiskey. He approached slowly, calculating every step.

The man noticed him before he reached the group, his laughter dying as his sharp eyes locked onto the stranger. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice rough and laced with suspicion.

"I need information," he said, keeping his tone calm but firm. "About Black Shadow."

The group immediately stiffened, exchanging wary glances. The tattooed man leaned back, a sly smirk playing on his lips. "Black Shadow, huh? Dangerous waters you're treading, friend. What makes you think I know anything about him?"

"I don't think," he replied, stepping closer. His voice dropped, cold and deadly. "I know."

The smirk faltered for a moment before returning. "Information like that doesn't come cheap."

He leaned down, his eyes boring into the man's. "I'm not here to bargain. I'm here to make sure you understand what happens if you waste my time."

The air grew tense. The tattooed man stared at him, weighing his options. Finally, he chuckled darkly. "Alright, alright. No need to get worked up. Black Shadow...he operates through intermediaries. But there's a club near the docks—a place called Vortex. You'll find someone there who knows how to reach him."

"Who?"

The man hesitated, his eyes darting to the group for reassurance. "Ask for Lucian. He's the one who handles Black Shadow's local dealings."

Satisfied, he stepped back. "If I find out you've lied to me…" He left the threat hanging, his cold stare enough to make the man swallow hard.

Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the shadows.

_________________

Back at the penthouse, she paced restlessly, the tension in her chest growing with each passing hour. The luxurious space felt suffocating, the silence amplifying her thoughts.

Her mind replayed his words: Stay here. You're not safe. But how could she feel safe when he was out there, risking his life?

She sat by the window, gazing at the city below. The view was breathtaking, but her heart was too heavy to appreciate it. The breakfast tray sat untouched on the table.

Why does it bother me so much? she wondered. She barely knew him, yet every thought of him in danger made her chest tighten.

The faint sound of footsteps outside the door snapped her out of her thoughts. She froze, her breath hitching. Could it be him?

The door opened, and one of the security guards stepped in. "Ma'am, is everything alright?"

She nodded stiffly. "I'm fine."

The guard hesitated. "If you need anything, just let us know. Mr. Ryu gave strict instructions to ensure your safety."

Her stomach twisted at his name. Ryu Aksh. The man who had swept into her life like a storm, bringing chaos, danger, and...a strange sense of protection.

As the door closed again, she sank into the couch, clutching a pillow to her chest. "Come back soon," she whispered to the empty room.