RULES OF POSSESSION

(Jane’s POV)

​I walked back into the living room, completely ignoring the way Victoria raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow at me from the couch. She was sipping a glass of water, looking like the undisputed queen of the manor.

​"Have a lovely dinner, Victoria," I said. My voice was sweet, full of pure innocence.

​"Thank you, sweetie," she replied. Her tone was dripping with fake sweetness, though her eyes remained sharp, icy, and tightly fixed on my face. "Make sure to lock the doors behind us. It's a big house for a young girl to be alone in. We wouldn't want anything bad happening to you while Benjamin is busy taking care of me."

​Ten minutes later, Benjamin walked down the stairs. He looked devastatingly handsome in a tailored midnight-blue suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean build. His hair was combed back into place, and his expression was completely cool, calm, and collected.

​He offered Victoria his arm. She took it with a triumphant smile, leaning heavily into his side to ensure I saw it.

​As they walked toward the front door, Benjamin finally let his gaze flick to me. It was a cold, warning look that explicitly said: Stay put.

​"Goodnight, Benjamin," I called out softly, ensuring my voice carried that slight, husky edge from our kiss.

​His posture went completely rigid for a second. His fingers tightened on the doorknob until his knuckles turned white. But he didn't turn around. He opened the door, escorted Victoria out, and the heavy oak door clicked shut behind them.

​The house fell into a deafening, suffocating silence.

​I stood alone in the grand foyer, the ghost of his touch still burning my skin. He thought he could just walk out that door, pretend I was just a child, and enjoy a romantic evening with his perfect girlfriend. He thought his words had broken me.

​But he underestimated me.

​I didn't just want his possessiveness. I wanted to break his composure completely. I wanted him to look at Victoria and see my face. I wanted him to realize that no matter how much he claimed to love her, his darkest, filthiest desires belonged entirely to me.

​I walked up the stairs to my bedroom and flung my closet doors open. I wasn't going to sit here and eat leftover pasta while he tasted expensive wine off Victoria's lips. If Benjamin wanted to treat me like a dangerous temptation, then I was going to become his worst nightmare.

​I pulled out the most reckless outfit I owned: a backless, skin-tight black mesh dress that clung to every single curve, hitting mid-thigh. I slid into a pair of sky-high stiletto heels, touched up my makeup, and darkened my lips with a deep, sultry gloss. I let my hair fall in wild, messy waves over my bare shoulders.

​I looked older, dangerous and entirely unbothered.

​I knew for a fact that Benjamin’s elite estate security team watched the cameras 24/7. The moment I walked out those front gates, the head of security would call him. It was exactly what I wanted.

​I bypassed the estate cars and ordered a ride directly to "The Vault," the most exclusive, high-energy club near the university campus. It was loud, packed with college students, elite singles, and flashing neon lights.

​The moment I walked through the VIP entrance, the heavy, pulsing bass echoed through my chest. The atmosphere was thick with sweat, expensive alcohol, and cologne. Within five minutes of standing near the lounge, I felt the heavy gazes of multiple men tracking me.

​A tall, handsome guy from the university’s rugby team slid next to me at the bar, flashing a wealthy, confident smile. "Can I buy you a drink, beautiful? I haven't seen you around here before."

​I tilted my head, letting a flirty smile touch my lips. "I'm new in town," I purred, leaning against the bar counter. I intentionally mimicked the way I had leaned against Benjamin's kitchen counter earlier. "And I'd love a gin and tonic."

​As the guy turned to order, my phone buzzed in my clutch.

​I pulled it out. The caller ID made my blood rush with pure, intoxicating adrenaline.

​Benjamin.

​I let it ring. Once. Twice. Three times. I waited until the absolute last second before sliding the screen to answer, pressing the phone to my ear.

​"Jane," his voice exploded through the receiver. It was so deep, raw, and trembling with an unhinged fury that it completely drowned out the roaring club music. "Where the hell are you?"

​"Hi, Benjamin," I said, my voice smooth, breathy, and completely relaxed. I intentionally let the loud, pulsing beat of the club background bleed into the call. "I thought you were at dinner with Victoria. How is the pavilion?"

​A heavy, terrifying silence stretched over the line, followed by the sound of his ragged, furious breathing.

​"My security told me you left the gates twenty minutes ago," he hissed. His voice dropped into a lethal, quiet growl that made a thrilling shiver shoot down my spine. "I told you to stay in your room, Jane. I gave you a direct order. Who are you with?"

​"Just making some new friends," I giggled softly. I looked up as the handsome rugby player handed me my drink with a wink. "Don't worry about me, Benjamin. Go back to your girlfriend. I’m having a great time."

​"Jane, listen to me very carefully," he rasped, his composure completely shattered. I could hear the distinct sound of a car engine roaring to life in the background, tires screeching against asphalt. He had abandoned Victoria at the restaurant. "Do not move. Do not let anyone touch you. If I get there and a single hand is on your skin, God help me, I will burn that entire place to the ground."

​The line went dead.

​I slowly lowered my phone, a wave of absolute, triumphant ecstasy washing over me. He loved Victoria, or so he claimed. But his dark, toxic possessiveness over me was a sickness, and I was the only cure.

​I took a slow sip of my drink, turning back to the handsome guy waiting for me.

​"So," I smiled, my eyes flashing in the dark neon light. "Where were we?"

​Twenty minutes later, the atmosphere in the VIP lounge completely shifted.

​The heavy oak doors of the club were shoved open, and the crowd near the entrance instantly parted as if a predator had just entered the room.

​I turned my head slowly. Standing under the flashing red neon lights was Benjamin. He was still in his midnight-blue tailored suit, but the jacket was unbuttoned, his tie was completely ripped off, and the top buttons of his white shirt were undone. His dark hair was wildly messy, and his eyes—pitch black, unhinged, and completely savage—swept over the crowd like a demon searching for its prey.

​And then, his gaze locked directly onto me. More specifically, onto the rugby player's hand, which was currently resting on the small of my bare thigh.