The two police officers, one older and one younger, began questioning me.
"Tell us," the younger officer said, trying to sound stern. "What were you doing when Yuna jumped?"
I tugged lightly at the thin strap dress Kaelan had torn earlier. No matter how I adjusted it, it couldn't fully conceal the curve of my chest.
The young officer's face instantly flushed red.
A faint smile curved on my lips. Deliberately, I lowered the dress a little more, letting him see just enough.
"Officer," I said lazily, "what else do women like us do? We serve men."
"Who was it?" he asked quickly.
I didn't answer.
Beside him, the older officer coughed and smoothly changed the subject. "Why were you arguing with Yuna?"
I shrugged, my eyes glinting with playful indifference. "What else could it be? She thought I stole one of her clients."
Yet as I spoke, my fingers trembled almost imperceptibly.
An hour earlier, I had pressed a razor blade against Yuna's throat and demanded coldly, "Tell me. Who killed Elara?"
At first, Yuna had acted arrogant and fearless. But the moment she realized her life was truly in danger, she collapsed.
"It wasn't me," she cried. "Elara was my best friend. Why would I hurt her?"
I pressed the blade harder against her skin.
"It was Kaelan," she blurted out in panic. "He was the one who ordered it."
In that moment, I had wanted nothing more than to slice her throat open.
But I didn't.
Which was why I still couldn't understand it. A woman who cherished her life that much would never choose death.
So why did she suddenly jump?
I leaned slightly forward, a seductive smile forming on my lips as I spoke in a teasing, half-complaining tone.
"Officer, I didn't steal anything. I wouldn't even glance at those pathetic clients of hers. If I'm choosing a man, at least he should look like you."
The young officer's face turned even redder. His throat bobbed nervously as his eyes remained fixed on my chest.
The older officer slammed his hand on the table. "Behave yourself."
At that moment, someone walked in and whispered something into the older officer's ear. He frowned briefly before standing up.
"Ms. Nancy," he said, "you're free to go."
Wow. I didn't expect to be cleared of suspicion so quickly.
I swayed my hips as I walked out. Just before leaving, I secretly slipped a business card with my QR code into the young officer's palm.
"Come visit sometime, handsome."
With their salary, one night at Siren Lounge would probably cost them several months' pay.
I did it on purpose. Otherwise, how could anyone believe I was really just a fallen woman? For all I knew, someone could be watching me from some hidden corner even now.
But the moment I stepped out of the police station, the act disgusted me so much I nearly threw up.
A Maybach rolled to a stop in front of me.
A deep, commanding voice came from inside the car.
"Get in."
The man sitting inside had sharply arched brows and deep, unreadable eyes. His lips were pressed into a thin line as he stared at me, radiating a pressure that made refusal impossible.
He was Kaelan Thorn.
Of course it was him who had pulled the strings to get me out.
I turned and ran.
But he caught me instantly, dragging me back and throwing me into the car.
"Go ahead," he said coldly. "Try running again."
My dress was already barely covering anything. After I was shoved roughly into the seat, my tight skirt rode even higher, exposing the black lace beneath.
Kaelan leaned over me, trapping me in the corner so I couldn't move.
"Good," he murmured softly. "That's better."
The bastard didn't wait another second before biting down on my lips. His tongue forced its way in, prying them apart and stealing every breath from me. The kiss was rough and overwhelming, leaving me breathless.
"Mmm… let go of me," I gasped after finally pushing him away. "Who asked you to save me? Yuna's death had nothing to do with me. Why would I be afraid?"
Kaelan let out a low chuckle. Slowly, he lowered his head. His teeth brushed downward before lightly sinking into the soft curve of my chest.
"Really?" he murmured. "Nothing to do with you? I heard there were razor marks on her neck."
My heart jolted violently.
Kaelan was terrifying. Barely any time had passed, yet he already knew that much.
I forced out a soft laugh and wrapped my arms around his waist, deliberately pressing myself against him.
"Mr. Thorn," I said sweetly, "let's not let that woman ruin the mood."
The desire in Kaelan's eyes vanished instantly.
What replaced it was something cold and dangerous.
His hand suddenly shot out and closed around my throat.
"Tell me," he demanded harshly, "what exactly is your relationship with Elara? And why did you come to Siren Lounge?"
Aksara