System Alert: Event Triggered High-Stakes Mafia Gathering Initiated.]
[Objective: Steal Keycard from Nikolai's inner coat pocket.]
[Bonus Threat: Unknown FBI Spy Embedded. Identity Not Yet Revealed.]
[Warning: Public Environment. Exposure Instant Death.]
The engagement party was held in the most secure place in the city Nikolai's private club, where the air itself seemed to buzz with power and paranoia.
Crystal chandeliers hung above velvet walls. Tables dripped with caviar, champagne, and sin. But beneath the glitter, everyone here was armed.
Russian Bratva. Italian Camorra. Triads. Yakuza. Even the Americans had sent someone.
And at the center of it all stood Liora, dressed in a wine-red silk gown that hugged her curves and made every man glance twice.
Nikolai hadn't taken his eyes off her since she walked in.
"Smile," he whispered, hand on her lower back. Make them think this is love.
She leaned in, lips brushing his jaw. "I don't have to fake it anymore.
His eyes burned. Careful. I might start believing you.
[Affection Level: 36%. Trust: 25%.]
They stood before the gathered mafia kings like royalty an alliance carved from blood and violence. Glasses were raised. Toasts made.
Until she arrived.
The woman strolled through the crowd with a predator's grace legs long, heels taller than sense, a black slit dress, and lips redder than betrayal.
Her voice cut the room like a dagger: "I wasn't invited.
Nikolai turned to stone. Liora felt the change in his grip.
Katya," he said coldly.
Liora's heart sank. The ex.
Katya walked straight up to them. Her eyes skimmed Liora, unimpressed. "So this is your replacement?
Leave," Nikolai ordered. "Now.
But Katya just smiled. "Why so tense, love? Afraid I'll tell her how fast you forget?
Liora stepped in, masking her fury with sugar. "You must be the woman who couldn't handle him.
That shut Katya up. For a beat.
Then she smirked. Sweetheart, he used to call me his religion. What are you, a weekend sin?
Nikolai grabbed Katya's arm. "I said leave.
Guards moved in. She cursed in Russian and threw her champagne glass to the floor before she was escorted out.
But the damage was done. The room rippled with whispers.
Liora's pulse hadn't calmed. Her hand was still clenched around her stolen smile.
[System Alert: Chaos Event Triggered. Increased Surveillance. Pickpocket Attempt Risk: High.]
And then the lights went out.
One beat. Two.
Gunfire.
Someone screamed. Chairs flipped. Bodies dropped.
Liora hit the floor instinctively as more shots rang out one clipping the wall just inches from her head.
The guards closed in around Nikolai, who barked orders in Serbian.
Find the shooter he snarled. "Secure the f***ing exits!"
Liora crawled behind an overturned table, heart slamming. She reached for a knife hidden beneath her thigh slit decorative, but sharp.
Across the chaos, a masked man took aim at Nikolai's back.
"NO
She lunged. The knife left her hand in a blur, spinning midair burying itself into the shooter's shoulder. He fell with a cry.
Nikolai turned, saw her, and for a split second everything stopped.
Then he was at her side, lifting her to her feet, grabbing her face. "You just saved my life.
You're welcome," she panted. "Again."
Blood spattered her cheek. His eyes burned with something fierce pride? Desire?
Or worse genuine trust.
Later, once the chaos was contained and bodies cleaned up like it was routine, Nikolai took her to his private office.
No guards. Just them.
You didn't have to throw that knife, he said, pouring her a drink.
Then you'd be dead. And I'd be single again.
He smirked. "You're full of surprises.
Liora walked slowly to him, watching his coat hang from the chair. The keycard's in the inner pocket.
He turned to face her. "Tell me something, Alessia.
"What?
If I asked you to disappear with me tonight run away, leave the empire would you?"
Her breath caught.
[System Prompt: Warning Bond Nearing Full Emotional Bond. Betrayal Will Shatter His Soul.]
She smiled carefully. "Would I still have to deal with your exes?
He chuckled and leaned in. "Only if you let me deal with your secrets.
His hand brushed her hip.
Now. Do it now, the system whispered.
Her hand drifted to his coat, fingers sliding into the inner pocket.
And then a second voice broke the tension.
Sorry to interrupt.
They spun around.
It was a waiter.
Only he wasn't.
Liora recognized him instantly. FBI.
The eyes. The badge sewn beneath his sleeve cuff. She'd seen his face in the system files.
"Your champagne, sir," he said coolly, setting the glasses down.
Nikolai didn't notice the flick of tension in the man's posture.
But Liora did.
[System Alert: FBI Contact Identified – Agent M.]
[Scheduled Drop: Tomorrow Midnight – River Docks.]
[Retrieve Keycard. Deliver Evidence. Betrayal Countdown: 48 Hours.]
She took her glass, heart pounding.
She'd stolen the keycard. She had the contact.
And the man she had to betray had just kissed her like she meant everything.
That night, alone in her room, Liora stared at the keycard resting in her palm.
Her hands trembled.
[System Update: All Conditions Met for World 2 Final Betrayal.]
[Affection: 41%. Trust: 33%. Emotional Risk Level: High.]
She whispered into the silence:
"I think I'm falling for him.
[Warning: That's exactly what the system wants.]