A DANGEROUS INVITATION

Chloe sat in a quiet café the next morning, stirring her coffee absentmindedly. The message from last night still haunted her. Someone was watching her. Was it a warning? A threat? Or was it another player in this deadly game?

She didn't have time to figure that out. Not yet.

Her phone vibrated, pulling her out of her thoughts. A new message—this time from a number she recognized.

Luca.

"Milan wants to see you. Tonight. 10 PM. Don't be late."

Her breath caught. This was fast—too fast. Had she piqued his interest, or was this a trap?

Either way, she had no choice but to go.

---

10 PM – The Club

The music pulsed through the high-end club, a blend of dark beats and whispered conversations. Milan owned this place—it was his territory, his rules.

Chloe stepped inside, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. The scent of expensive liquor and smoke filled the air, mingling with the hum of power in the room.

Luca was waiting for her near the VIP section. "You're on time. That's a good start."

"Should I be worried?" she asked, keeping her tone light.

He smirked. "Maybe."

Luca led her through the velvet curtains into a private lounge. Milan sat on a leather couch, a glass of whiskey in his hand. His gaze lifted to her, cool and unreadable.

"Sit."

Chloe obeyed, careful not to let her nerves show. This was the moment that would decide everything.

Milan leaned back, studying her like a predator amused by its prey. "Tell me something, Chloe." He swirled his drink. "What is it you really want?"

She met his gaze. "A story."

His lips curved slightly. "A story about me?"

She nodded. "People think they know you, but they don't. I want to see beyond the myths."

Milan chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "And you think I'll just hand you my secrets?"

"No," she admitted. "I think you'll make me earn them."

Silence stretched between them. Then, Milan leaned forward, his eyes dark with something unreadable. "Let's play a game, then."

A shiver ran through her, but she kept her expression steady. "What kind of game?"

Milan placed his glass down and pulled a small knife from his pocket, spinning it between his fingers.

"A test." His voice was soft, but the weight behind it was suffocating. "To see if you're as fearless as you pretend to be."

Luca smirked from the corner, watching. This wasn't just a conversation anymore.

This was a trap.

Chloe exhaled slowly, forcing a smirk of her own. "I never back down from a challenge."

Milan's eyes gleamed. "Good."

He signaled to a man at the door, who stepped forward and placed a small black box on the table. Milan tapped it lightly.

"Inside is something important to me," he said. "I'll give you twenty-four hours to find out what it is—without opening it."

Chloe's mind raced. This wasn't just a game. This was a test of intelligence, patience, and restraint.

And if she failed, she knew there would be consequences.

Milan leaned back, watching her with quiet amusement. "Let's see how good you really are, Chloe."