My Brother's Secretary Locked Me in a Dark Room, So I Sold Her

 I stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, rotating my left shoulder.

The sharp pain from the bullet wound had faded, replaced by the dull ache of healing muscle tissue.

Three weeks ago, during a firefight at the docks, I had pushed my lieutenant Marco out of the way. That shot should have pierced his heart, but instead, it ended up lodging in my shoulder.

My phone vibrated.

"Boss, they sent an invitation. Tonight at eight, old industrial district."

I narrowed my eyes.

I'd been waiting two months for this race—my opponent was the second-in-command of the Scarlet Syndicate.

Win, and I'd gain access to their shipping routes at the port.

"Prepare the car."

"All your modified cars are in maintenance, except for the one—"

"At Damian's place." I cut him off. "I'll get it myself."

The Moretti Tech Group building stood in the city center, its glass facade reflecting the afternoon sunlight.

I walked into the lobby.

I rarely came here, so the security guards didn't recognize me and stopped me at the entrance.

I told the guard I was looking for Damian and asked him to come downstairs to meet me.

The guard wasn't sure of my identity and told me to wait while he made a phone call to verify.

After waiting about ten minutes,

a woman in a business suit came walking quickly toward me, her eyes filled with scrutiny and hostility.

"Who are you looking for?" She blocked my path, her tone aggressive.

I glanced at her. "Move."

"This isn't a place you can just waltz into." She lifted her chin. "Security, escort her out."

I let out a cold laugh. "I'm here for Damian Moretti."

Her expression changed, then she gave a mocking smile. "Another woman trying to get close to Mr. Damian? You people are really—"

"I'm his sister."

"Sister?" She looked me up and down, taking in my black leather jacket and cold demeanor, and scoffed. "Mr. Damian has never mentioned having a sister like you. If you're going to lie, at least make it believable."

My eyes turned dangerous.

"Fine, I'll take you to see Mr. Damian." She suddenly switched to a gentle smile. "Follow me, let's have a nice chat. If I've misunderstood you, I hope you can forgive me."

She turned toward the elevator.

The elevator descended instead of going up.

Realizing something was wrong, my hand moved toward my back, but I didn't feel my gun.

I was just coming to Damian's company to get my car—I didn't think there would be any danger, but...

She suddenly spun around, pressing a cloth soaked in ether against my nose and mouth.

"You—" I grabbed her wrist with my other hand and twisted hard.

She screamed but clung desperately to the cloth. "Don't think I don't know what you're after! Trying to seduce him? Trying to climb the ladder? Dream on!"

My vision began to blur.

Damn it, my injury hadn't fully healed, my strength wasn't enough—

I drove my knee into her abdomen.

But I'd already inhaled too much ether.

I staggered backward, hitting the elevator wall.

She was panting, her eyes wild. "You're going to regret coming here, you bitch!"

The elevator doors opened to an underground office.

She dragged my semi-conscious body inside and shoved me onto the cold cement floor.

"You think you're so beautiful? So special?" She crouched down, grabbing my hair. "Mr. Damian is mine! You bitch—"

I suddenly opened my eyes, the killing intent in them making her step back.

But the next second, my consciousness was swallowed by darkness again.

When I woke up, I was tied to a chair.

This was a lounge, quite luxuriously furnished, with some of Damian's clothing I had seen before.

The woman stood before me, holding a paper cutter, her smile twisted. "Now, we can have a proper talk."

I lifted my head, the corner of my mouth curving into an icy arc.

"You're going to regret this." My voice was terrifyingly calm. "Deeply regret this."

She slapped me across the face!

My eyes grew even colder.