Chapter #1

((Zara Lang))

My phone vibrated again.

I let out a small sigh before opening the notification. A news article immediately filled the screen.

Wanted Fugitive Found Dead in Abandoned Warehouse, Police Investigate the Name ‘Reins Eiser’.

My eyes stopped on the last two words.

Reins Eiser.

That name again.

I scrolled down and kept reading.

A fugitive wanted in an illegal weapons trafficking case was found dead inside an abandoned warehouse early this morning. The victim was discovered holding a piece of paper with the name “Reins Eiser” written on it. Police have not confirmed whether the name belongs to the killer, the next target, or someone connected to the case.

I quietly finished reading before locking my phone.

The loud music instantly filled my ears again.

Red and blue neon lights flashed across the bar. Behind the counter, rows of crystal glasses reflected the colorful lights. The air smelled of alcohol and cigarette smoke, making it hard to breathe.

I slowly looked around.

Me in expensive suits.

Women in revealing dresses. Laughter. Whispers.

People drinking, flirting, and making deals.

To everyone else, this looked like an ordinary nightclub.

To me…

It was a marketplace for secrets.

I’d spent weeks investigating this place. Information was bought here. Information was sold here.

And according to our intel… Reins Eiser came here often.

I checked the time.

10: 30 p.m.

I still had a little time before he usually showed up.

“So… you’re really doing this?”

I turned toward the familiar voice beside me.

Danny.

My partner from the Special Investigation Unit.

He’d looked worried ever since we arrived.

I slipped my phone into my purse.

“I don’t have much of a choice.”

“Zara.” He lowered his voice. “We’re talking about Reins Eiser.”

“I know.”

“You know what people say about him.”

Of course I did.

Every cop knew his name.

No one had enough evidence to arrest the mafia boss. But every time another body turned up…

His name somehow came up too.

That’s why I was here.

For the next few weeks, I wouldn’t be a police officer.

I’d be a hostess.

I looked down at the short black dress I was wearing and pulled the hem lower again.

Pointless.

It barely covered half my thighs.

I hated this outfit.

The high heels weren’t any better. My feet were already begging for mercy.

Seriously…

Whoever designed this uniform deserved to wear it for twelve hours straight.

Danny sighed.

“I can still cancel the operation.”

I shook my head.

“No.”

“But if they find out who you really are…”

I looked at the crowd again.

“They won’t.”

The answer came out much more confidently than I actually felt.

I took a slow breath.

Once I walked through the staff door at the end of the hallway…

Inspector Zara Lang would disappear.

Tonight, I was just another hostess smiling at dangerous men.

And if everything went according to plan…

I’d finally meet Reins Eiser.

***

((Reins Eiser))

What a damn annoying night.

I stared at my phone as my name flooded the headlines once again.

They really never gave up, did they?

What a waste of time.

Those idiot cops should spend less time chasing me and more time catching the bigger rats hiding inside their own department.

Instead, they kept wasting their time hunting me down.

I let out a quiet scoff, tightening my grip on my phone.

“Eiser, what’s with the face?” Edward Stood chuckled. “Come on. Enjoy the party, man.”

Edward’s voice pulled me back to the present.

Right.

I was supposed to be celebrating tonight.

Too bad that damn article had already ruined my mood.

I looked around the VIP room.

Laughter echoed through the room as whiskey glasses clinked together. Cheers erupted from every corner as the men around me celebrated tonight’s success.

“We really hit the jackpot tonight!” one of them shouted, raising his glass.

“To a glorious victory!” another added.

Everyone was in high spirits.

Tonight was a special night.

I leaned back against the leather sofa, slowly swirling the whiskey in my glass. A faint smile tugged at the corner of my lips, but I had no interest in joining their excitement.

A moment later, the VIP room door opened.

Several hostesses walked in with bright smiles and immediately made their way toward the guests.

The room grew even livelier.

Unfortunately…

None of them caught my attention. Until one of them sat beside me.

“Good evening, sir,” she greeted politely.

I glanced at her. She had to be new.

I’d met almost every hostess working at this bar before. She wasn’t one of them.

Ignoring her, I took another sip of my whiskey.

“Your glass is empty, sir.” She reached for the whiskey bottle with a gentle smile. “Allow me.”

Without waiting for my answer, she refilled my glass.

I leaned back against the sofa.

“You’re new?” I asked.

She simply smiled.

“Who hired you?”

“The manager.”

Smooth answer. Too smooth.

Her smile had faltered for only a split second, but it was enough to catch my attention.

She moved a little closer.

Then, without hesitation, her hand rested on my thigh, slowly brushing over the fabric of my pants.

I looked at her without a trace of emotion.

No one dared to do that. Everyone in this bar knew the rules.

They were allowed to flirt.

They were allowed to drink with me.

But touching me? That crossed the line.

I grabbed her wrist in one swift motion.

“Take your hands off!”

My voice came out cold and sharp.

She froze, clearly caught off guard.

Interesting.

Did this woman really not know the rules… or was she breaking them on purpose just to get my attention?

***