Elijah’s POV
Damn this man. He’s boring me to the point where I want to empty my entire gun into his worthless skull. Unfortunately, I need this piece of shit alive to extract more information about Kovači - the man whose very existence I want to erase from this earth.

Aydin, my younger brother and my right hand, seemed to sense my growing irritation. Without hesitation, he landed a hard punch to the captive's gut. "Cut the crap and get to the point," he warned sharply, but the idiot still refused to say anything.

"Teach him how to talk," I commanded coldly, rising to my feet. I adjusted the button on my tailored black suit, picked up a dagger from the table, and carved the corner of his lips. His screams finally broke the silence. "Seems like he has a tongue after all. Make him use it."

I walked out of the VIP lounge, lighting a cigar as I went. Even through the club's blaring music, the faint echoes of his screams reached me, a melody far more soothing to my ears than the mindless noise surrounding me.

Holding the cigar between my fingers, I exhaled a thick plume of smoke, watching it rise in a slow, deliberate spiral. The sharp scent of tobacco cut through the stale perfume and clinking glasses in the air around me.

Each step I took resonated with purpose, the weight of my authority evident in my every move. The dim, flickering lights of the club blurred in the background, but my focus was unwavering…locked onto the mission at hand. As the cigar burned steadily, its red tip glowing brighter with each drag, it felt like a reflection of the fire simmering inside me.

At the top of the stairs, I paused, overlooking the sea of people below. The crowd, lost in drunken abandon, danced as if tomorrow didn’t exist. And that’s when it happened…for the first time in my life, I got distracted.

Amid the chaos, she moved like a siren. Dressed in an elegant, silky black gown that clung to her curves, the fabric reached her ankles but revealed a teasingly high slit on her right thigh. Thin straps adorned her shoulders, and her chestnut-brown hair was swept into a low bun, save for the soft fringe framing her face, obscuring her features like a veil of mystery.

She danced alone, lost in her own rhythm, her serpent-like body swaying with effortless grace. Every movement she made radiated temptation, each step drawing me further into her spell.

Then, just as suddenly, she stopped. The spell broke. She turned and began walking away from the dance floor, heading toward the bar.

My piercing grey-blue eyes tracked her every movement as she walked, her hips swaying with effortless grace. The ambient noise of the club faded as my focus sharpened, locking onto her like a hawk locking in on its prey. I discarded my cigar on a nearby wall and, with a confident stride, I made my way toward her.

I stood beside her as she placed her order, and fuck me, her sexy accent made me desperate for Just a single look at her.

My tall and muscular frame cast a shadow over hers. She wasn’t particularly short, but still nothing compared to my 6'3" height.

I signaled the bartender with a flick of my hand, ordering a whiskey on the rocks. Turning my attention back to her, I spoke in a low, commanding tone. “You look out of place here, my lady.”

“And why do you think that?" She asked, turning towards me, and fuck me, she looks exactly like how I imagined.

Deadly combination of seduction and elegance.

She had the most beautiful, expressive green eyes I had ever seen, framed by long, curled lashes. Those almond-shaped eyes held something that drew me in for the first time; I’d never been the type to approach a woman, women usually threw themselves at me. But something about her was different.

Her olive skin tone had a soft, radiant glow, even under the dim lighting of the club.

Her figure was toned and curvaceous, moving with a natural grace that caught every eye in the room. She had a slim waist and an hourglass shape that made her all the more captivating. Her high cheekbones and flawless beauty stood out effortlessly, without the need for anything extravagant, minimal makeup was all she needed. And those bold red lips? They were so fucking kissable.

I snapped out of my momentary daze when the bartender set our orders down, but before I could reach for mine, she took the glass meant for me and sipped it.

I watched her, my gaze lingering on her lips as she drank. A subtle smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I responded to her earlier question.

“Because you exude a sense of elegance and refinement that this place doesn’t usually attract. You’re a rare gem in a sea of mediocrity,” I said, taking the whiskey from her hand. My fingers brushed lightly against hers, the touch sending a spark through me.

She let out a mock chuckle and replied, “And you seem like a true jeweler, right?”

Fuck, her sexy Italian accent is killing me. I have fucked many Italian girls before. No, I have fucked countless girls from every region, but she is something else, and her unyielding, bold answers are arousing me even more.

I chuckled deeply at her response, the sound rumbling in my chest, because I’m not a jeweler…I'm a killer. Well, she doesn't need to know that... not yet.

Leaning against the bar, I studied her closely. She's something I can’t quite name at the moment. Maybe a magnetic pull? I’m not sure.

“Ah, a feisty one too. I like that,” I said, taking a sip from the spot where her dark lipstick had left a mark, never breaking eye contact. Her expression, though, remained unreadable. “And what's your name, little gem?” I asked.

“Guess! After all, you’re a jeweler, aren’t you?” she smirked while picking up her martini glass.

I smirked back, amused by her playful jab. Setting my glass down, I leaned in closer, my voice a low, seductive murmur. Jesus Christ! I’m actually seducing a woman. Me, Elijah Demir! And here we are.

“Well, since we're playing guessing games, let me take a shot. You, my dear, are as elusive as rare gemstones. Perhaps... Sapphire?” I guessed, because that's the vibe her personality gives off.

Unyielding, unbreakable, and unmatched, just like a sapphire. Her intellectual responses to each of my questions are only arousing me more.

She chuckled. "Close enough. Well done," she said, sipping her drink.

Clearly mocking me, my smirk widened as I enjoyed the game and the challenge she presented.

I signaled the bartender for another round, but her eyes gleamed with an unspoken triumph. She was enjoying this far too much. Alright, then. Let’s play, darling.

“You know, sapphires are known for their rarity and beauty, much like the woman sitting before me,” I said, pushing my luck just a bit further.

“Flattery won’t get you into my bed,” she replied bluntly, cutting straight to the point as she ate an olive from her drink. And I swear to God, her boldness is killing me. She's smart and blunt.

I threw my head back and laughed, a deep, genuine sound that drew the attention of a few nearby patrons. No woman dared to speak to me so bluntly like this.

When I looked back at her, my eyes were filled with admiration and a hint of something darker, more intense, but her expressions were still unreadable, and that smirk was still dancing on her luscious lips.

“Oh, darling, I have no intention of slipping anywhere.” I husked over my glass of whisky while swirling the liquid.

“Good for you.” She replied, putting the toothpick of olives back in her glass, but what she did next twisted my dick painfully in desire.

She sucked the martini from the tip of her thumb before rubbing it clean with a tissue. God! How much I want these red-tainted lips around my dick.

I raised an eyebrow, and my mind was already formulating a new strategy. I am not used to women being so immune to my charm.

I signaled the bartender again, this time ordering a bottle of the most expensive champagne they had.

"You know, sapphires also represent royalty.” I said, forwarding the glass of champagne towards her.

“Of course I know." She replied while playing with a ring on her left hand and rotating it to show me the sapphire she was wearing but didn't take the glass from my hand yet.

My eyes followed the movement of her hand, my gaze lingering on the sapphire ring. A woman with class and good taste. Interesting.

A slow, calculated smile spread across my face as I started connecting the dots and leaned in closer, my voice a low, dangerous purr. "You're not just any woman, are you?” I asked curiously.

“What do you think?" She questioned back while taking the glass of champagne from my hand and swirling the drink before gulping it down in a go.

I studied the ring, then looked back at her, my mind racing with unspoken questions. Is she married? Or engaged? Is this why she is not falling for my charms, because she loves the man so much who gave her this ring?

I took a sip of my champagne, buying time to formulate my next move. "Tell me, Sapphire," I used the name I'd guessed because whether she tells me her real name or not, she is Sapphire to me. "Are you married?”

“Does it matter?” She arched her brow with a sly smirk like a vixen.

A faint smirk played on my lips as I considered her evasive answer. My eyes locked onto hers with an intense predator-like gaze. "Let me rephrase that... Is that ring just for show, or do I have competition?”

She chuckled while shaking her head, clearly amused by my desperation. "Let me give you a life lesson.” She replied while rolling her finger on the rim of her empty glass. “A self-made woman always wears a ring on her middle finger." She replied, clarifying my confusion about why she is wearing a ring on her middle finger and not on her ring finger.

Now my interest was piqued. A self-made woman, wearing her sapphire ring on her middle finger as a statement of power and independence. I found it incredibly attractive.

I never fucked a self-made vixen before, and now I desperately want to fuck one.

I leaned back in my chair after refilling her glass, my eyes never leaving hers. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?” I asked, amused.

“A woman should never let a stranger know everything about her." She mumbled with a smirk while sipping her drink.

My gaze softened, a hint of respect and admiration shining through because it's not like I meet an interesting woman like her every day, right? So why not?

"A wise woman, keeping her cards close to her chest. I like that. But tell me, Sapphire, what makes you so guarded? What secrets are you hiding behind that enigmatic smile?” I asked curiously, as each second with this woman is making me more curious to know her more than just to fuck her and not to forget her brief answers, making me more desperate.

“Why do I tell you?" She asked, mischief dripping in her tone, and not to forget that smirk, it's still there.

I mirrored her smirk, enjoying the cat-and-mouse game. I signaled the bartender for refilling my glass, and then, turning my attention back to her, her eyes glinted with unspoken challenge. "Because I'm curious,” I asked.

“Then stay curious." She replied while giving her card to clear the cheque, "Charge his drinks as well." She said with a smirk and walked away.

I watched her walk away, her confident stride leaving me intrigued and slightly annoyed. No woman walked away from me. In fact, I left many women on the edge.

“She forgot this.” The bartender's voice brings me out of my thoughts, and I notice her card in his hand.

“I'll take care of that.” I mumbled as I picked up the card and examined it, a slow smile spreading across my face. "A woman who pays her own way and leaves without a goodbye... I think I'm falling in love. Love? Shut up, fucker!”

I walked out of the club while leaving a message to Aydin that I am leaving and he should take care of the rest.

She was waiting for her ride when I came out and approached her, a small smirk playing on my lips. "You forgot something, Sapphire." I paused as she turned to face me, and I handed her card back, my eyes searching hers, and I finally introduced myself, which I had never done before. "I'm Elijah, by the way. Elijah Demir.”

“I didn't ask, by the way!" She answered, and the corner of her lips rose like a vixen.

I chuckled, finding her cold demeanor amusing, and at the same time, a black Bentley stopped in front of her, and a driver came to open the backdoor for her. 

A Bentley, a sapphire ring, and did I tell you that she is wearing a statement diamond neckpiece? Well, yeah. Whether she is a billionaire father's bratty child, which seems to have very few chances, or a mystery that I want to solve, which is likely to have more chances.

Before she could sit, I leaned against the car door, blocking your entrance. "Fair enough; you don't strike me as the type who cares about names.”

“Then what strikes you?" She questioned sweetly.

Damn her! Why does each of her answers lead to another question?

I paused, considering my answer carefully. My eyes roamed on her face, taking in every detail before speaking and searching for any hint to read her eyes, but I got nothing.

"You strike me as a woman who thrives on mystery, who revels in the unknown. Someone who enjoys watching others try to figure her out, knowing they never quite will. You enjoy it, don't you?” I answered, which only widened her smirk.

That means I gave the right answer.

My smirk mirrored hers, a rare amused expression lighting up my usually serious face only coming out of this woman. I never talked this much with anyone as compared to when I tried to initiate a conversation with this woman within half an hour.

I pushed off the car door and stepped closer, lowering my voice but not invading her personal space. "Tell me, Sapphire, are you always this guarded, or am I just special?”

“Why do you think so?” She asked while crossing her arms.

I put my hands in my pockets, my eyes narrowing slightly. "Because most people, when they meet someone new, offer some basic information….”

“Not to complete strangers.” She interrupted me.

“Complete strangers?” I gasped dramatically. “We shared drinks and talked for more than 35 minutes…”

She interrupted me again, “You were talking. I am just giving answers out of courtesy.”

“Still, you can tell me, out of courtesy, your name, occupation, family... But you? You've given me nothing. You could be a spy, a CEO, a criminal mastermind, for all I know.” I teased.

But her answer caught me off-guard: “Just like you are a Mafia lord?" She smirked, and my smile dropped.