Paris was supposed to be a fresh start.
Chloe Hart had told herself that a thousand times.
She had packed her life into a single suitcase, left behind the small town where everyone knew her name, and moved to the city of lights with nothing but a job offer and a dream.
She was not expecting the darkness.
The city looked beautiful at night — the streets lit by warm streetlights, the Eiffel Tower glowing like a beacon in the distance, and the sound of laughter drifting from cafés that never seemed to sleep. It was the kind of beauty that made people feel alive.
But beauty had always been dangerous.
Chloe stood outside the lounge, staring at the entrance with a mixture of excitement and fear. Her hands were shaking slightly as she adjusted the strap of her bag.
She was here because of work.
Not because she wanted to be seen.
She was a fashion designer. A small one, but a good one. Her designs had gotten her a job with a rising fashion house in Paris — a chance to make her name in a city where style was a religion.
Her boss had insisted she attend the opening night of a new luxury lounge in the city. It was the kind of event where people like Chloe were usually invisible. People like her weren't supposed to belong in a world of expensive suits and champagne.
But Chloe had a feeling she was about to become visible.
She walked in.
The lounge was packed.
Music pulsed through the room, and the air was thick with perfume, smoke, and the kind of laughter that made Chloe feel like an outsider. People moved in groups, their voices loud and confident. Everything looked expensive — from the furniture to the drinks.
Chloe felt small.
She walked toward the bar, scanning the room for a familiar face. Her boss had promised she would find someone from the company here, but Chloe didn't see anyone she recognized.
She ordered a drink, and the bartender slid it toward her without looking up. Chloe took a sip, feeling the cold liquid burn down her throat. It tasted like money.
She had barely finished when she felt a presence behind her.
She turned.
And froze.
A man stood there, his dark eyes staring at her like he was studying her.
He was tall, handsome, and dressed in a black suit that looked like it was made for him. His hair was neatly styled, and his expression was calm, almost bored.
But his eyes were intense.
They were the kind of eyes that didn't miss anything.
Chloe tried to smile politely, but her mouth felt heavy.
"Hi," she said.
The man didn't smile.
He nodded slightly. "Chloe Hart."
Chloe's heart stopped.
"How do you know my name?" she asked.
The man's gaze didn't leave her face. "I know many things."
Chloe's hand tightened around her glass. "Who are you?"
The man leaned closer, his voice low and smooth. "My name is Lucas Vale."
Chloe's breath caught.
Lucas Vale.
The name sounded familiar, like a whisper she had heard somewhere before. A name that belonged to rumors, not reality.
He was a billionaire, the kind of man who had the power to buy anything — including people's lives.
Chloe swallowed.
"I'm just Chloe," she said, forcing herself to sound calm.
Lucas's eyes narrowed slightly. "Chloe is enough."
Chloe felt a chill crawl down her spine.
There was something about him that made her feel like she was standing on the edge of a cliff.
She turned her gaze toward the crowd, hoping to find an escape. But the room felt like a cage.
Lucas moved closer, and Chloe realized he was walking with confidence, like he owned the entire lounge.
He stopped beside her.
"Why are you here?" he asked.
Chloe hesitated. "My boss invited me."
Lucas nodded slowly. "You work in fashion."
Chloe blinked. "How do you know that?"
Lucas smiled slightly. "You're wearing a design that's not from here."
Chloe's cheeks flushed.
"I'm not trying to be noticed," she said quickly.
Lucas looked at her for a moment, then nodded again.
"Of course you're not," he said. "But you are."
Chloe felt her heart beat faster.
She didn't know why she was so affected by a stranger.
She didn't know why she felt like she was being pulled into something dangerous.
She took a step back.
"I should go," she said.
Lucas's expression changed.
For the first time, there was something like disappointment in his eyes.
"Don't," he said softly.
Chloe shook her head. "No. I'm not interested."
Lucas leaned closer again, his voice low. "You're lying."
Chloe felt her face heat. "I'm not."
Lucas's eyes darkened. "You always say that."
Chloe's breath caught.
There was something about him that felt like a threat.
But it wasn't a threat of violence.
It was a threat of desire.
Lucas continued to stare at her, and Chloe realized that she couldn't look away.
She felt trapped.
The music continued to pulse, but the sound seemed distant now.
Lucas leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper.
"You can leave," he said. "But you won't."
Chloe's heart pounded.
She didn't know why, but she believed him.
Before she could respond, a woman's voice cut through the noise.
"Chloe."
Chloe turned.
A woman in a red dress stood at the edge of the crowd, her eyes fixed on Chloe.
Her hair was pulled back tightly, and her expression was calm.
But there was something dangerous about her.
The woman smiled.
It wasn't a friendly smile.
It was a smile that meant she had already won.
Chloe's stomach twisted.
Lucas noticed Chloe's glance.
His expression hardened.
"Don't look at her," he said softly.
Chloe frowned. "Who is she?"
Lucas's jaw tightened. "Someone you don't want to meet."
Chloe's heart raced. "Why?"
Lucas's voice dropped. "Because she's dangerous."
Chloe's breath caught.
The woman in red began to move closer.
Chloe took a step back, and Lucas stepped in front of her.
"Stay behind me," he said.
Chloe stared at him, shocked. "Why are you protecting me?"
Lucas's eyes met hers.
"Because she's not the only one watching you," he said.
Chloe's heart stopped.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
Lucas's expression turned serious.
"You don't know what's happening," he said. "But you will."
Chloe's mind raced.
She didn't know who Lucas Vale was.
She didn't know why he was protecting her.
And she didn't know why she suddenly felt like her life had changed.
The woman in red reached the edge of the crowd.
Her eyes were fixed on Chloe.
She smiled again.
Then she turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Chloe's body trembled.
Lucas released a slow breath.
He looked at her with an intensity that made her feel both terrified and safe.
"Come with me," he said.
Chloe stared at him.
"Why?" she asked.
Lucas's voice was calm.
"Because if you stay here, you won't leave alive."
Chloe's eyes widened.
"Who are you?" she whispered.
Lucas's gaze didn't leave hers.
"I'm the only person who can keep you alive," he said.
Chloe's heart hammered.
She didn't know if she should trust him.
But she didn't know if she had any other choice.
She nodded slowly.
Lucas reached for her hand.
The moment their fingers touched, Chloe felt a strange warmth spread through her body.
It was like a spark.
Like something inside her had been awakened.
Lucas led her through the crowd, and Chloe followed without thinking.
As they walked, Chloe realized something.
Lucas Vale wasn't just dangerous.
He was powerful.
And he was already controlling her life.