Chapter 1 Canary
The black hood yanked away Victoria Chase's vision, plunging her into darkness.
Before she could react, the hood was whipped off, and a forceful shove sent her stumbling forward.
"Get in."
The blinding light stabbed at her eyes, causing discomfort to flare.
Victoria shivered involuntarily. Kidnapped? Why would they go after a broke heiress like her? These guys must be nuts.
"Don't just stand there, strip."
Without giving Victoria a chance to grasp the situation, an impatient voice barked from the corner.
Following the sound, Victoria spotted a man lounging on a lone sofa by the window.
He sported a plain white shirt, lazily unbuttoned to reveal his chest muscles peeking out. Legs crossed, eyes shut as if catching some Z's.
Noticing Victoria's hesitation, the man's tone took a menacing turn, "Hurry up, I ain't got time for women who dilly-dally."
He stressed the word "women."
It was clear this wasn't your typical kidnapping.
From her vantage point, Victoria couldn't make out the man's face clearly, only catching a glimpse of his straight nose and a scar near his eyebrow.
He seemed oddly familiar.
"You..." Victoria quivered, mustering up courage to ask, "Who are you? Where am I?"
The man shifted, his scar contorting with his scowl, giving him a menacing air.
"So, you're clueless," he remarked.
"Clueless about what?" Victoria's voice tensed.
The man slowly lifted his head.
The fading sunset cast shadows on his face, accentuating his rugged features.
Victoria finally recognized him.
Nathaniel Cross!
The brains behind Genesis Corporation, Nathaniel!
Her eyes widened in shock.
It was common knowledge that Genesis Corporation had its hands in everything. More precisely, Nathaniel controlled the shady side.
A gun was holstered at his hip.
"Xavier really screwed up," Nathaniel's voice rasped, oozing danger.
Xavier Cole?
What did her scheming ex have to do with this? Victoria was even more baffled.
"Get over here."
Clearly, Nathaniel wasn't one to beat around the bush. He dished out orders from his high horse.
Victoria clutched her flimsy collar, instinctively taking a step back in fear.
She gazed at Nathaniel in horror.
"My patience is wearing thin! This is your one shot," he stated, slowly adding, "to save the Chase family."
Previously, Victoria had only seen him a few times in the news, where he appeared grim and terrifying. He was the underground emperor of the entire city.
At this moment, his gaze at Victoria was like a hungry wolf eyeing its prey.
"You can save the Chase family?"
Victoria's anxious expression softened, a glint of hope replacing her fear.
Since the company hit rough waters, the Chase family had been on a downward spiral, with her father David Chase staring down the barrel of possible jail time.
Victoria couldn't dwell on how she ended up in Nathaniel's mansion. Her focus was on rescuing the family.
"You sure like to hear yourself talk!" Nathaniel's rare patience was running out.
Truly, if anyone could rescue the Chase family now, it was only Nathaniel.
"I ain't one for forcing women."
Nathaniel reached for a cigar on the table.
With a sharp snap, the lighter flickered to life, causing Victoria to shiver as if a flame had touched her soul.
"Come here, or leave. No one will stand in your way, and today's events will be wiped clean. But... I can't promise what comes next."
Nathaniel seemed composed, giving Victoria the choice, but in reality, he was subtly applying pressure.
Victoria's hand trembled as she clutched her collar, her gaze locked on Nathaniel without a blink.
The tip of the cigar glowed with a deep red ember as tendrils of smoke curled from Nathaniel's lips.
He peered at Victoria through the smoke.
A battle raged inside Victoria. Grown-ups never speak plainly; there were simply two choices.
Approach, strike the deal.
She had nothing to offer now except her youth, beauty, and lively spirit.
Turn away, and the Chase family would be doomed for good.
She appeared to have a choice, but in reality, she was backed into a corner.
"I never thought I'd be lucky enough to catch Mr. Cross's attention," Victoria forced a smile, her fingers tightening on her collar, almost popping the buttons.
Trembling, she inched closer to Nathaniel.
"There's a lot you haven't considered," Nathaniel remarked, lifting his cigar, lounging back comfortably to admire Victoria.
Her airy dress was open, revealing her slender figure.
Victoria smiled, a touch of allure in her icy stare.
"Mr. Cross, since we're striking a deal, we should lay out the terms upfront."
"Oh?" Nathaniel's expression held a hint of disdain, intrigued. "Well, well."
"Well, well?" Victoria nervously swallowed, unsure of Nathaniel's meaning.
To dare negotiate terms with the head of Genesis Corporation was indeed a bold move for a woman.
"Are there conditions you can suggest that I can't fulfill?" Nathaniel spoke calmly but with the commanding presence of a ruler.
Victoria choked, the nerve!
This man was too full of himself!
But it seemed he had the power to be so.
What was there to discuss? She just had to comply. As long as she pleased him, she could have whatever she desired.
Victoria was at a loss for words.
Nathaniel observed as Victoria drew near, lifting his gaze to quietly assess her.
Victoria was once an heiress, now struggling with how to win his favor, unsure of her next move.
Nathaniel seemed to pick up on her uncertainty, uncrossing his legs and leaning slightly forward, settling back.
"Kneel."
Humiliation surged through Victoria, her fists clenching involuntarily.
It appeared that playing the part of a canary required a skill she clearly lacked.
Nathaniel chuckled, a hint of amusement in the crease between his brows. "Since you're here to make a deal, drop the act of superiority. Be honest, and maybe I'll have more respect for you."
Within moments, sweat beaded on Victoria's forehead.
She took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and knelt down, reaching for Nathaniel's belt.
"With your mouth."
Her movement was halted by his icy tone.
A wave of fear, despair, and helplessness washed over her, tears brimming in her eyes.
"If you're going to cry, leave now. I've made it clear, I don't like forcing women."
This time, Nathaniel's tone dripped with disgust.
Victoria bit her lip hard, the pain helping to suppress her melodramatic emotions.
She lifted her defiant face, forcing a smile.
"I apologize, Mr. Cross. It won't happen again."
Victoria reminded herself not to shed tears in front of someone indifferent, knowing it would only invite ridicule and scorn.
Bowing down to his bulging crotch, she used her mouth to unzip.
Continuing to swallow and caress, until her mouth grew numb and weary, Nathaniel's release spilled from her lips.
The sun had long dipped below the horizon, casting Nathaniel in a dim light as he continued to observe Victoria.
His expression remained inscrutable, leaving Victoria uncertain if her efforts had satisfied this capricious tyrant.
"Mr. Cross..."
Victoria's voice was strained.
Nathaniel rose, straightened his attire, and remarked casually, "You need more practice."
Panic gripped Victoria. What did he mean? Was he going to back out?
Clearly, not clarifying the terms beforehand had been a misstep!
She didn't dare inquire further, only gazing at him unblinkingly.
"Get up." Nathaniel chuckled at her expression, his gaze softening, as if she were a pet. "I'll give you more training in the future."
Victoria breathed a sigh of relief, her heart calming.
When she grasped his implication, her face flushed as red as a beet.