Chapter 1 - The Calculated KissCaptain Daniel Mercer’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Genevieve. He recognized her—not as catering staff, but as the investigative journalist who had been pestering his precinct for months about the "Viscanti Connection." His gaze flicked to Mateo, then back to the girl. If Mercer pulled her into the police net, Arthur’s men would have an even easier time silencing her before she reached the interrogation room.
Mateo sensed the shift in the air. He didn't just see a scared server; he saw a witness to Arthur’s betrayal, a piece on the board he could either sacrifice or weaponize.
"She’s with me," Mateo said, his voice resonant, cutting through the chaos.
Arthur’s face went rigid. "Mateo, we don't have time for this."
"She’s my date," Mateo countered. He stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and Genevieve. He placed a heavy, possessive hand on the small of her back. She felt the cold steel of a holster beneath his jacket. "We’re leaving, Captain. If you want a statement, you can find me at my estate tomorrow morning with my legal counsel."
Mercer stepped into their path. "You’re not going anywhere until we interview every person in this room."
Mateo looked at Genevieve, his pale eyes searching hers for a flicker of fear. He saw intelligence instead. He saw the way she had sized up his security detail, the way her stance was perfectly balanced.
"I said she is with me," Mateo repeated, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. Then, to the shock of every person in the room—including Arthur and the stunned Captain Mercer—Mateo pulled Genevieve toward him.
He didn't just stand close. He cupped her face with a hand that felt like granite and tilted her head back. He kissed her, not with affection, but with a display of absolute dominance meant to silence the crowd. It was a cold, calculated performance of ownership.
Genevieve went stiff for a split second, then mirrored his intensity, gripping the lapels of his tuxedo to steady herself, playing the part of the devoted lover.
"She’s staying at my place tonight," Mateo announced, pulling back just enough to maintain the pretense. "You’ll find us if you need us."
May you like
He turned to the crowd, his gaze landing squarely on Arthur. "Come, darling. This room has lost its charm."
As they walked past the officers, Arthur’s hand went to the gun at his waist. Mateo didn't look back, but he felt the tension vibrating through Genevieve’s body. She wasn't just a witness; she was a variable he had decided to keep. And in his world, variables were either eliminated or controlled.
