Chapter 3: The Revenge Date

The night air kissed Jade’s skin as she stepped outside the glittering auction ballroom. But even the breeze couldn’t cool the fire dancing beneath her ribs.

Kain Wolf.

God, her mind wouldn’t shut up about him.

The way he walked straight toward her like the rest of the room had vanished. The way his fingers had lingered around hers—absently, like he didn’t even realize the world was watching. And those eyes of his—dark, molten, full of something dangerous—had pinned her to her seat from the moment he sat on that stage like a sin up for sale.

He looked like sin poured into a tailored suit—dark, devastating, and made to ruin someone gently.

She’d melted in her chair.

And no one knew.

Not even him.

Her phone buzzed again—cutting through the memory like a needle.

She blinked.

Pulled it out of her clutch.

Rob.

Thirty-seven missed calls. Dozens of unread messages.

“Jade, please. I’m sorry. Please call me. I need to see you.”

“You’re the only one I want. I made a mistake. Just talk to me.”

A bitter laugh slipped past her lips.

He was spiraling. Good.

She started typing something short and scathing.

But—

Paused.

No.

That would be too easy.

He didn’t deserve closure.

He deserved to be undone.

Her eyes narrowed as heat ignited behind her ribs. She opened her browser.

Elite Matchmakers NYC.

The first name to appear?

Lucinda Grey. Discreet. High-profile. Expensive.

Perfect.

She called.

“Lucinda Grey’s Private Matches,” a velvet voice answered.

“I need a date. Tonight. I don’t care who it is. I’ll pay anything—even in installments or if I have to pawn something.”

There was a beat of silence.

“That’s a tall ask, sweetheart. My pairable roster’s booked solid tonight.”

Her pulse kicked.

“Please. Just one seat. One date. I’ll pay double.”

Another pause. A soft sigh.

“Hold the line.”

Jade stared into the dark city while her pulse raced.

Then—click.

“Good news,” Lucinda purred. “An opening just came in. One of my most exclusive clients booked for tonight—and it turns out, you’re his type. Paid over the roof just to meet someone like you. And frankly, you’ve just put me in a good mood. You won’t owe a dime.”

Jade blinked.

“Wait… really?”

“Mazuka Hotel. Table sixteen. 8 p.m. sharp.”

“…And honey? Wear something unforgettable.”

Oh, she would.

Jade’s grin was slow and wicked.

She didn’t know who this mystery man was—but she’d make damn sure Rob saw her with him.

She dialed Rob without hesitation.

“If you really want me back,” she said, voice velvet over steel,

“Meet me at Mazuka Hotel. Table sixteen. Eight sharp.”

She hung up before he could speak.

Then smirked.

Revenge never tasted this sweet.

—

By 7:50 p.m., Jade was a walking siren.

The dress delivery had arrived—black, slit high, neckline low. Her hairstylist had pulled her hair into loose, seductive waves, and her lips were painted a ruinous red.

She wasn’t dressed to impress.

She was dressed to break hearts—and Rob’s ego.

She entered the Mazuka like she owned it, hips swaying, heels slicing into marble.

Heads turned.

A waitress blinked. “You look like heartbreak itself.”

Jade smiled. “Table sixteen?”

“Right this way, miss.”

The man was already seated. Head bowed, eyes on the menu.

This was it.

Time to play her part.

She sauntered forward.

“Hi,” she said, her voice soft but charged. “I’m your blind date.”

He looked up.

And the breath left her lungs.

Kain Wolf.

No. Freaking. Way.

But it was him.

Same molten gaze. Same simmering intensity. Same pull she hadn’t escaped since the auction.

He blinked, startled—then subtly slid something into his coat pocket.

His eyes swept over her. Slow. Deliberate.

Like he was peeling her apart with his stare, unbuttoning something invisible between them.

Her thighs clenched.

Her control thinned.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded, sliding into the seat across from him, her skin flushed like flame had licked down her spine.

“You’re…” she started, breathless. “Table sixteen?”

He blinked. Slowly. Then smiled like sin wrapped in velvet.

“Apparently, yes. You’re my blind date?”

She laughed in disbelief. “Are you stalking me?”

“Trust me, if I were, I’d be far more obvious about it.” He leaned back with a lazy smirk.

“My godmother,” he muttered. “She hired Lucinda. Said she was sick of me dying alone with a portfolio… and that I needed to meet someone real… Guess she was right.”

“Lucinda,” Jade echoed.

He nodded once.

Her stomach dipped.

“Well… this is awkward.”

She raised a brow.

“So why did you agree to come? Rebuilding your reputation one awkward dinner at a time, like people of your caliber do?”

Kain chuckled. “If I say no, will you still stay?”

Their eyes met.

And she had to look away.

“Why are you here, Jade?” he asked, more serious now.

She hesitated.

Revenge sounded a lot better in her head.

But she couldn’t say revenge. Couldn’t say Rob.

Before she could fumble for a lie, Kain’s tone softened.

“I want to apologize,” he said. “About the auction. I’m not a playboy. I hate publicity. But it was the only way to raise money for my grandmother’s rehab center. She built it from nothing.”

Something in Jade’s chest cracked.

He reached for her hand across the table. His touch was warm. Steady.

“What do you want to eat?” he asked. “I want to learn your preferences—for the right reasons. Starting now.”

Her throat went dry.

His hand covered hers, thumb gently tracing her knuckles.

Her lips parted. Her breath hitched.

He looked at her like he wanted to taste her name off her lips.

Like she was already dessert.

Her body betrayed her—leaning in, not away.

And that’s when she saw him.

Rob.

Standing at the entrance. Speaking to the hostess. Searching the room.

Jade froze.

This was it. The moment.

Use Kain. Make Rob burn.

Make him see what he lost.

But…

How could she use someone like Kain?

He wasn’t a game piece.

He wasn’t average.

He was a fire—and she was already burning.

Was she falling?

No. Stop it. Get a grip, Jade.

She sat up straighter, rolled her shoulders back, and turned her flirt on like a switch.

Her smile was lethal as she leaned closer to Kain, her voice low and breathy.

“So… Mr. Wolf,” she said, slowly tracing her finger along the rim of her glass,

“What would you say is your most dangerous trait?”

Kain’s lips curved, slow and dark.

And across the room, Rob’s gaze landed on them.

Jade didn’t flinch.

She was done begging to be wanted.

Tonight, she was the one doing the breaking.

And Kain?

God help her.

He might be the only man who could break her back.

And tonight… she wasn’t sure if she wanted to stop him.

Not when he was already halfway through undoing her.