Chapter 4

Killian did not reach for the gun.

He let out a low chuckle, the same careless tone he always used to coax me.

He gently cupped my face, his thumb stroking the corner of my mouth.

A flicker of confusion went through me.

People around us started whispering.

"Has Seraphina lost her mind? She's gone mad from losing."

"She's going to disgrace the entire Russo family, making a scene like this at her own engagement party."

"Seraphina, stop it."

His voice was almost gentle. "You've had too much to drink. These violent games aren't for you. Look at you, your hands are shaking."

As he spoke, he casually swiped his other hand across the table, knocking the revolver to the floor.

The dignity I had fought for was, in his eyes, nothing more than a childish tantrum.

"This round doesn't count." Killian leaned back lazily, undoing a button on his collar. "As punishment for your behavior tonight, the shipping route goes to Clara."

Clara's eyes lit up. She immediately pushed the document in front of me and cooed, "Oh, well, if Killian says so, then thank you, Sera."

I froze, staring at Killian.

He was raising his glass, watching me through the amber liquid with that familiar, disciplinary look in his eyes.

"Sign it, Sera," he said dismissively. "Be a good girl. As long as you listen, I'll buy you better toys later. Don't let outsiders see the future matriarch of the Falcone family making a fool of herself."

So called fairness, from his lips, was just a whip to tame me.

If you're obedient, you get a treat. If you resist, you pay the price.

The bodyguards had already closed in, their presence a silent threat.

I gripped the pen, my fingertips turning white from the force.

"Fine."

I lowered my head and signed my name on the document.

Clara snatched the paper. "Killian, you're so good to me."

Killian patted her waist indulgently, then looked at me, his tone laced with a satisfied, patronizing generosity.

"That's more like it. Go change, Sera. This red dress is dirty. I don't like it."

He thought he had the situation under control again. He thought I was still the same fiancée who would obediently fall in line the moment he offered a way out.

He turned to leave, his arm around Clara. "Let's go. Let's get some air on the deck."

"Hold on."

I threw the pen down. My voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet cabin.

Killian stopped and looked back at me, his brow furrowed, as if my defiance was starting to annoy him. "What now? My patience has its limits."

"Since you think the last game was too violent for me."

I slowly stood up, and in front of everyone, I ripped the hem of my expensive red dress.

Rrrrip.

The silk tore, revealing the black tactical holster strapped to my thigh and the cold, hard pistol nestled within it.

The entire cabin fell silent.

Killian's gaze fell to my leg, his expression turning ugly.

"I bet my birthright as heir to the Russo family. I bet all my future assets."

I met his gaze, stepping out from the shadows of the gambling table.

"We won't bet on luck. We'll bet on marksmanship."

I pointed to the far end of the yacht's deck, at a playing card fluttering in the wind fifty meters away.

"One shot each. If you win, I'll jump from here. My life will be yours."

"But if I win..."

I raised a hand and pointed to the inky black, shark infested waters of the high seas.

"You will both jump. And you will promise me one thing."

Leo sucked in a sharp breath. "She's lost it. Miss Seraphina, Killian is a three time champion at the shooting club. Please, don't joke around."

After hearing me out, Killian didn't get angry. Instead, he laughed.

"Interesting." He turned back, his interest now fully piqued, his eyes roaming over my body without restraint. "I never knew you had this wild side, Sera."

He didn't think for a second that I could win. He saw it as a new trick to get his attention, and he even found this rebellious side of me alluring.

"Fine, I accept." Killian took the long barreled revolver from his bodyguard, raising an eyebrow in confidence. "Since you want to play something thrilling, it's my duty as your fiancé to indulge you. Just don't cry when you lose."

The large group moved out onto the open deck.

The sea wind howled. Fifty meters away, a playing card was just a blurry white dot in the darkness.

Killian held the gun with one hand. He didn't even need to aim for long, a confidence born from talent and years of practice.

"Watch closely, baby," he said, winking back at me. "This shot is to teach you what a professional looks like."

A gunshot rang out. The spotter in the distance raised his binoculars and shouted, "A perfect bullseye on the Ace of Hearts! Right through the heart!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

"The Boss is a master marksman, no question."

Clara clung to Killian's arm in adoration. "Killian, you're amazing! Maybe we should just stop. I'm afraid for Sera's life. The open sea is so cold, after all."

Killian lowered his gun, blew the smoke from the muzzle, and walked over to me, looking down at me. "Alright, Sera. I can pretend your bet was just a fit of anger. Concede now, come over and kiss me, and this whole thing will be over."

I walked past him without a word and took my position at the firing line.

I took the gun, still warm from his touch, directly from his hand.

"This is a nice gun," I said softly.

Then, I turned and raised it.

The movement was a fluid, swift blur, one born from a million practice runs.

For ten years, to cater to his preference for a woman without a violent streak, I had never fired a gun in front of him.

But these things were muscle memory, etched into my very bones.

BANG.

The gunshot was clean and sharp. Faster than his. More ruthless.

Everyone looked towards the distant target.

The Ace of Hearts was still pinned there, seemingly unchanged.

"Did she miss?" someone whispered.

Just as Clara was about to let out a mocking laugh, the spotter, still holding his binoculars, froze.

"Hey! Say something!" Killian shouted, his brow furrowed.

The spotter slowly lowered his binoculars and turned around, his voice trembling. "This is impossible!"