Chapter 1: The Assignment
Rain hammered the city that night, turning the streets into a blur of lights and shadows. In a tall glass building that looked perfectly legal from the outside, Daniel King stood in front of the man everyone in the underworld feared.
To the public, he was Mr. Clark, a quiet businessman.
To Daniel, he was simply Boss—leader of The Circle, an organization that did the dirty work rich people didn't want their names on.
"Sit," Clark said.
Daniel obeyed. He never showed weakness in front of this man. No shaking hands, no nervous eyes. Just calm.
Clark slid a tablet across the table.
A girl's picture filled the screen.
Big brown eyes. Soft, warm smile. Long hair flowing over her shoulders. She wore a simple dress, but she still looked like the kind of girl the world wanted to protect.
Amara Williams.
"Daughter of Senator Richard Williams," Clark said. "He's leading in the upcoming election. Clean image. Too clean."
Daniel kept his voice even.
"What's the job?
Clark leaned back, watching him carefully.
"Our client is Senator Williams' opponent. He doesn't just want to win. He wants Williams destroyed. He wants his image broken. His family broken. His life broken."
Clark pointed at the girl on the screen.
"She is the key. You will meet her by accident. You will make her fall in love with you. You will enter her life, enter her home, get close to her father. You will find their secrets. And we," Clark smiled coldly, "will leak them to the world."
Daniel's jaw tightened slightly.
"And when it's done?" he asked.
"You walk away. We get paid. The client wins." Clark's eyes hardened. "One more thing."
"Yes, boss."
"No attachments," Clark said quietly. "This girl is not your friend. Not your woman. Not your savior. She is a door. You are the key. Betray me, or forget who you work for…" His voice dropped. "You know what happens to traitors in The Circle."
Daniel remembered the last man who had tried to leave.
They never found the body. Only the blood.
"I understand," Daniel said.
Clark smiled.
"Good," he replied. "Your assignment starts in two weeks. Study her. Study her father. Learn their routines. I want this done smoothly."
Daniel picked up the tablet and stared at Amara's face.
To him, she was just another target.
For now.
He didn't know yet that this was the assignment that would change everything.
The one that would make him fight his own people.
The one that would turn a hired gangster…
…into the man who would one day stand beside a senator and call him father-in-law.
Chapter 2: The "Accident"
Two weeks later, the mission officially began.
It was a bright afternoon. Students poured out of the university gate, laughing, chatting, staring at their phones. Horns honked on the busy road in front.
Daniel sat behind the wheel of a black car parked not too far away, a cap pulled low over his eyes. He looked like any other young man waiting for someone.
In his ear, a small earpiece buzzed.
"Target in sight," a woman's calm voice said. "White top, blue jeans, backpack. No security today. She's with a friend."
That was Mara, his handler.
Daniel's gaze locked on the gate.
He saw her at once.
Amara Williams.
She was laughing at something her friend said, her hand covering her mouth, eyes shining. She looked so normal, so… unprepared for what the world planned for her.
"Got her," Daniel murmured.
"Remember the plan," Mara said. "Slow approach. You almost hit her, but don't actually break her bones. She gets scared, angry, then impressed you take responsibility. That's your opening."
Daniel started the engine and pulled closer to the crossing.
Amara's friend turned left. Amara waved, then stepped onto the road, typing on her phone as she crossed.
Perfect timing.
Daniel pressed the accelerator just a little too much.
The car rolled forward faster than it should.
At the last second, he slammed the brakes.
Tires screeched. The car stopped just in front of her.
Amara stumbled backward in shock, dropping her phone.
"HEY!" she shouted, heart racing.
Daniel jumped out at once, hands raised.
"I'm so sorry!" he said quickly. "I didn't see you—are you okay?"
People nearby turned to stare. Amara put a hand on her chest, breathing hard.
"I–I'm fine," she snapped. "What's wrong with you? Are you blind?"
"I should ask my eyes that question," Daniel said, trying to keep his voice light but apologetic. "I'm really sorry. Did you get hurt?"
She frowned and tried to step sideways.
Pain shot through her ankle.
"Ow…"
Her face twisted slightly.
Daniel noticed.
"Your ankle," he said. "You twisted it."
"I'm fine," she repeated stubbornly, but when she tried to walk, she wobbled and grabbed the car door for support.
He moved closer, careful not to touch her without permission.
"Look, this is my fault. Please let me take you to the hospital or at least a clinic."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You're not a kidnapper, right?"
He let out a small laugh.
"If I was, I just failed my job in front of twenty witnesses," he said, nodding at the people still watching. "I really am just an idiot who almost caused an accident."
Amara sighed, annoyance fading into tired acceptance.
"Fine," she muttered. "But I swear, if you try something weird, I'll scream."
"I believe you," he said.
He helped her gently into the passenger seat. She watched him, suspicious but curious.
"Name?" she asked.
"Daniel," he said. "Daniel King. You?"
"Amara," she replied.
He acted like it was the first time he was hearing that name.
"Nice to meet you, Amara," he said. "Again, I'm sorry. I promise I'll make this right."
She turned her face to the window, watching the city pass by as he drove.
She didn't know he already knew her full name, age, schedule, favorite café, and even which social media posts she liked.
This was all part of the script.
But when she flinched slightly each time a car passed by too close, Daniel's chest tightened in a way that wasn't part of the plan.