The black sedan rolled to a stop outside a luxurious hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Jade’s face was pressed to the window as she took in the towering palm trees and the elegant front entrance, complete with sparkling glass doors and polished gold handles. The sun hung low in the sky, casting everything in a golden glow, and the air outside felt warm and humid, even through the closed car door.
The driver stepped out first, opening her door with a courteous nod. “Welcome to your hotel, Ms. Nguyen.”
“Thanks,” Jade mumbled as she grabbed her small suitcase and climbed out. She blinked against the sudden brightness and straightened her shoulders. Here we go again, she thought. Another beautiful city, another beautiful hotel.
The men—Milan, Enzo, and Thiago—had dropped her off before heading off to their mysterious “business meeting.” Milan, in particular, had been very clear about the arrangements.
“You’ll stay here until we return,” he’d told her, his voice firm and commanding as always. “Don’t leave the hotel unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
She had wanted to ask why, but the look in his icy blue eyes silenced her. Milan was a man who didn’t like to explain himself twice. So instead, she’d nodded and replied quietly, “Understood.”
Now, standing on the marble steps of the grand hotel, Jade couldn’t shake the feeling that something more was going on. It wasn’t just the meeting. It was the way the men had looked before they left—focused, tense, and sharper than usual.
Inside the SUV, just moments later, Milan sat in the front passenger seat, flipping through his phone as they drove through the bustling streets of Rio. Enzo lounged in the backseat, scrolling through his messages, while Thiago leaned against the window, staring at the city blurring by.
Milan spoke without looking up, his voice cutting through the silence. “Enzo.”
Enzo lifted his gaze lazily. “What?”
“Your men,” Milan said simply. “Have them keep an eye on Jade while we’re handling this.”
Enzo raised an eyebrow, his smirk faint. “You think something’s going to happen?”
“It’s just a precaution,” Milan replied coolly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “The last thing we need is any surprises.”
Enzo shrugged, leaning back with a small grin. “Consider it done. I’ll have two guys stationed near the hotel to keep an eye out. No one gets near her.”
Thiago snorted softly, breaking his silence. “You’re acting like she’s helpless.”
Milan shot him a glance in the rearview mirror. “She’s not helpless. But she doesn’t know how this world works. Until we’re back, we ensure her safety. Understood?”
Thiago rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. He slouched further in his seat, clearly annoyed by something.
Enzo, ever observant, noticed. “You good, Thiago?”
Thiago didn’t answer at first, his gaze still locked on the passing buildings. Then, after a moment, he sighed heavily, running a hand through his dark hair. “I kissed her.”
Enzo blinked, looking genuinely surprised. “What?”
Milan’s head turned slightly, though he didn’t say a word. His sharp blue gaze focused on Thiago, waiting for an explanation.
Thiago let out another sigh, shifting in his seat like he couldn’t get comfortable. “In Paris. After dinner. I bumped into her near the restroom, and… I kissed her.”
Enzo’s surprise quickly turned to amusement. He leaned forward, his lips curling into a wicked grin. “You kissed Jade? The same Jade you’ve been teasing since day one?”
Thiago shot him a glare. “Yeah, laugh it up. I didn’t plan on it, okay? It just… happened.”
“And?” Enzo prompted, clearly enjoying this far too much. “Was it good?”
Thiago fell silent for a moment, his jaw tightening. Finally, he muttered under his breath, “I can’t get her out of my head.”
Milan finally spoke, his voice low and even. “You kissed her, and now you’re distracted.”
“It’s not like that,” Thiago replied defensively, sitting up straighter. “It’s just… it’s messing with me, okay? I keep thinking about it. I don’t know why.”
Enzo laughed quietly, shaking his head. “Poor guy. One kiss, and she’s already got you wrapped around her little finger.”
“She doesn’t,” Thiago snapped, though his tone lacked conviction. “It’s just… different with her.”
“Different?” Milan repeated, arching an eyebrow.
“Yeah,” Thiago said, a little quieter now. “She’s not like anyone else. She’s… real. And I wasn’t expecting that.”
The SUV fell silent for a moment as the weight of Thiago’s words lingered in the air. Enzo’s grin softened, and even Milan seemed to consider what had just been said.
Finally, Milan spoke again, his voice steady. “Keep your head on straight, Thiago. This deal in Brazil is more important than whatever you’re feeling right now.”
“I know,” Thiago muttered, looking away.
Enzo couldn’t resist one last jab, smirking as he sat back in his seat. “You’re in trouble, man. Big trouble.”