Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

The man across from her was clearly losing his cool, his casual demeanor slipping away as he slowly sat up straighter in his chair.

Brielle was closing in, leaning towards him with an air of calculated ease. His pupils dilated ever so slightly, and before he knew it, she whipped out a palm-sized fan, the center of which featured a clear plastic film. Her lips pressed a kiss onto his chin, the thin membrane between them ensuring their skin never made contact.

Then, with the same composure, she retreated. "I need to know Alivia's real identity."

The man was frozen in place for a moment before he let out a laugh tinged with incredulity. "Do you take me for a fool?"

"You asked for a kiss," she pointed out, a coy smile playing on her lips. "You didn't specify the type of kiss, whether tongues were to be involved, and to what extent. You run a big casino. Surely, you're not one to renege on a deal?" He breathed deeply, his lips pursing as he fought to maintain composure. His eyes darkened with a swirl of emotions, much like a whirlpool, as he contemplated the warmth that had just grazed his chin.

She was, as always, uniquely audacious.

After leaving the casino and getting into her car, Brielle realized her back was slick with cold sweat. It had been a gamble. Though she suspected that the mysterious casino boss didn't want her dead, she couldn't fathom his true intentions. Asking him to check on Alivia was a minor request for him. If he wanted to maintain his hold over her, he'd have to acquiesce to this small favor to keep her coming back to him. She wouldn't be inclined to return without getting a taste of victory. Brielle's gaze dropped as she leaned back in her seat, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

Why not go directly for the jugular and have someone investigate her own identity, revealing the plots against her? Because she didn't know who was targeting her-it could be the casino boss himself or someone even more enigmatic. If she played her hand too soon, she'd spook her adversaries.

She mustn't let anyone know that she was quietly digging into her own past-not a soul.

Driving home, she anticipated that information about Alivia would soon reach her phone.

into Pearl Estate when her phone buzzed with a new message from Aubree, listing an address far from her current location. [Bri, come pick

was

especially since she had no filming scheduled for the past couple

hesitation, Brielle steered her car

watched the tracking dot on his computer screen. His lips curved into a subtle

headed our way and

Annie's eyes sparkled with

her hand glinted coldly. Finally, she would have

and crushed it effortlessly with her sharp teeth as she spoke with

never defy you,

he's always been so

the

up their gear. Ricardo headed to the dressing room to remove his makeup, and Aubree

her,

to assist him, and flashed a guileless smile. "Tonight 'd like you

if that's