Chapter 1: The Chase

Inside a five-star hotel, more than ten police officers ran through the hallway, searching for a criminal. The chase left the hotel in disarray as onlookers watched the scene with anxiety. This wasn’t uncommon in Milan; officers would pop out of nowhere in an attempt to catch the legendary criminal who was always behind a mask. It had been seven years, but every attempt to catch her had been unsuccessful.

Alice ran through different halls, taking various turns in the hotel. No doubt, the police were still behind her, but she had given them a significant lead. This wasn’t her first getaway, nor her tenth.

Alice checked her backpack to ensure the bars of gold were still inside. There were three large bars, and she knew they would cost a fortune. She zipped the bag and adjusted it on her back properly.

Her life would have been easier without Collin Marcello. From what she knew, he worked with the international crime agency and was obsessed with apprehending her. He made all her missions difficult, and if she weren’t well-trained, he would have caught her a long time ago.

Suddenly, someone swooped behind her, and large arms covered her mouth as her back pressed against his chest. Alice let out a muffled gasp; she knew it was definitely Collin. She smartly drew one of the safety knives from her attire and stabbed him in the stomach.

He let out a loud groan and fell to his knees, his blue eyes glaring at hers. 

"You... you should just leave me alone. Why are you so obsessed with catching me?" she asked, her eyes never leaving his handsome face. Even a blind man could testify that he was handsome.

Collin tried to get up, but Alice quickly drew her gun and pointed it at him, her hand behind the trigger.

"You wouldn’t shoot me," Collin said with a smug smirk on his face, making Alice glare at him. This wasn’t their first encounter—was that why he could throw that annoying smirk at her even when she was pointing her gun at him?

"Go to hell," Alice spat. Collin flinched when she pulled the trigger, but not at him; she shot another cop behind him. Before he could process the scene, she had disappeared from his sight.

She heard the footsteps of several other cops behind her; the sound of the gunshot must have attracted them. Alice read the label on the wall and saw "VIP Section" clearly written. Alice gasped when she realized she was at a dead end—she wasn’t a magician and therefore couldn’t disappear.

However, there were three doors aligned in the VIP section. She hastily opened one of them and stepped inside. Her back pressed against the door as her mouth flew open in shock. Her eyes scrutinized the room—it was the luxury she couldn’t afford, even if she sold her kidney. She snapped out of her trance and quickly locked the door from the inside.

Alice’s feet padded across the room as she stood near the window. There were iron bars in the window frame, so there was no way she could escape through it. She was also smart enough to know that all the exits were blocked, and if she couldn’t escape from here, she was doomed.

"Are you here to steal me?"

Alice quickly turned upon hearing the deep baritone voice, and her eyes almost fell from their sockets. Standing a few feet away was a tall, handsome man with ethereal features. He looked unreal with his ink-black hair, a sharp jaw that could cut through steel, and his rare gray eyes. Not to mention, his broad and well-chiseled chest was on full display because he wore only black sweatpants.

Alice snapped out of the trance and took a step backward as she stared at him. Would she have to shoot this man as well?

"I... I’m not a thief," Alice denied, biting her lips when she thought about how foolish her reply sounded. Her attire said otherwise.

"And I’m not human," he said, and she didn’t miss the sarcasm in his voice. "What are you doing in my room, little girl?" he asked in a calm tone.

He was oddly calm. Normal people would have started screaming for help, and she would have to do something she didn’t like. And who the hell was he referring to as a little girl?

"I... I’m being attacked by some strange people whom I didn’t offend in any way. Please help me," Alice begged. She could shoot him and then gag him, but she didn’t want to.

"Why on earth should I help you?" he asked lazily.

"Because I’m a… good person, and I’m sure there’s something you want in return for the favor. I’m good at many things, and you can ask for anything. I’ll do it," Alice said desperately.

"I’m not interested in helping you with your hide-and-seek. You can unbolt the door and be on your merry way," he said, his gray eyes scrutinizing her and making Alice feel nervous.

"I’ll do anything, Mr... Mr. Human," Alice said, her heart hitching when he slightly glared at her. The glare vanished as quickly as it came.

A rather sinister smirk appeared on his lips as he stared at her and then began walking toward her. Alice gulped nervously and took several steps backward, making her back hit the window.

He quickly matched her steps, and Alice gasped when he stood inches away from her, his tall frame towering over her completely. Something about him was dominating, making her feel inferior. She hadn’t met anyone like him before, and his aura made her skin freeze.

"You said you’re good at many things," he drawled, and Alice could clearly hear her heart pounding in her ribcage. "Does that include being good in bed?" he asked, and Alice gasped when his long, elegant fingers began fondling the necklace she wore around her neck.

Alice’s head slightly spun as she began thinking of ways to escape from this predicament. Thankfully, the sound of the alarm made him pull away from her, and she sighed in relief. The relief was short-lived as she knew who was behind the door.

He sauntered toward the door, and a frown marred his handsome face when he saw it was Collin.

Collin barged in, saw the man, and left in frustration.

The man noticed the open balcony door and realized she had escaped. He sauntered toward the balcony, and his eyebrows twitched as he looked down the railing. A sinister smirk found its way to his lips. Even if she ran to hell, he would make sure to find her and bring her back to him. He wouldn’t be Zade Vicenzo if he didn’t.