Prologue

The humid Bangkok night clung to Paridhi Rai like a second skin. Neon signs bled into the slick streets, the symphony of honking cars and distant sirens a constant thrumming in her ears. In a dimly lit alley, she stalked her prey – a notorious arms dealer, his face obscured by the shadows. Her movements were a predator's – silent, precise, honed from years of covert operations. Disarming him was child's play, her hand a blur as she secured the weapon. But just as she prepared to deliver her knockout blow, a voice cut through the tense atmosphere.

"Impressive."

Paridhi whipped around, her senses on high alert. A man stood at the other end of the alley, his silhouette sharp against the flickering neon. Moonlight glinted off the edge of a silver briefcase he held. Even from this distance, she could sense an aura of power emanating from him, something that sent a shiver down her spine despite the heat of the night.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice a low growl.

He took a slow step forward, revealing a face that could have been sculpted from marble – strong jawline, piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through her. A faint smile played on his lips.

"Someone who admires a good takedown," he replied, his voice a smooth baritone.

Paridhi narrowed her eyes. This wasn't part of the mission. Strangers in dark alleys were trouble, especially those who spoke with such unnerving confidence.

"This doesn't concern you," she warned, her hand tightening around the confiscated weapon.

The man tilted his head, his smile widening. "Oh, but it does, Miss Rai. Because from this moment on, everything concerns you – especially me."

Before she could react, he threw open the briefcase, revealing a glint of gold. Inside, nestled amongst velvet padding, was a badge – a badge identical to the one she carried concealed beneath her worn leather jacket.

"Saurabh Saksena," he introduced himself, his voice a low rumble. "And you, Paridhi Rai, are about to become a very valuable asset."

The air crackled with unspoken tension. Paridhi, the woman who lived by her own rules, had just encountered a force unlike any she'd faced before. A man who could unravel her world with a single word, a man who was determined to make her his – no matter the cost.