Vicious reacted instantly, leaning across the small space and gripping her waist, pulling her slightly toward him."It's fine," he murmured, voice low and close. "You're safe."
His hand stayed on her waist. His breath brushed her cheek. Her pulse tripped wildly.
"Y-you can let go now," she whispered.
He released her slowly—too slowly.But the look he gave her afterward wasn't playful anymore.It was intentional.
She could still feel the warmth of his touch, the way his breath had grazed her skin. It lingered in her body long after he leaned back. She didn't want to admit it, not even to herself, but something had shifted. Vicious hadn't said a word since, yet she felt his eyes on her. Watching. Waiting. Testing her silence.
"I'm fine," she said suddenly, too quickly.
"Didn't say you weren't," he replied, calm but faintly amused.
She swallowed and turned away. "Just… wanted you to know."
He leaned closer again, not touching her this time, just close enough for his presence to wrap around her like heat."You're terrible at pretending," he whispered.
Thalia's heart thudded. She didn't respond. She couldn't.
After a moment, Vicious finally broke the silence."You know you don't have to work for me anymore, right? That maid thing—you're free from it."
Thalia crossed her arms, eyes on the road ahead. "Well, excuse me for honoring a deal."
He raised a brow. "A deal that I offered to let you out of."
"And I declined," she shot back. "A deal is a deal. I have to do it not to owe you"
Vicious smirked. "Stubborn."
"Annoying," she replied.
They were still bickering when the car pulled up to the private terminal. A sleek black SUV waited nearby. The driver stepped out, bowing.
Vicious opened the SUV door with a dramatic flourish. "After you, my queen."
Thalia narrowed her eyes at him. "Oh, please boss."
Thalia gave him a flat stare but stepped in anyway. He followed, the door closing behind them as the car pulled away from the private terminal.
She kept her eyes forward, trying to steady her pulse.
But the question slipped out before she could stop it.
"Tell me something."
Her voice was quiet, but sharp.
"Are you like this with every girl you want… right until you get them in your bed?"
Vicious turned his head slowly, brows lifting slightly as if surprised she dared to ask that out loud.
"Is that what you think I'm doing?"
"I don't know," she said, arms crossing defensively. "You have a reputation."
He gave a low, humourless laugh. "I do?."
"So?" she pushed. "Am I just another girl you're charming your way into?"
He studied her then leaned back in his seat.
"If I wanted you in my bed, Thalia… you'd know," he said, voice calm but edged with something deeper.
"And I wouldn't do it like this."
Her breath hitched. "Like what?"
"Careful," he said simply. "Patient, Respectful."
Those three words shouldn't have made her heart stumble, but they did.
She stared out the window. "Why me?"
Vicious didn't look away from her.
"Because you don't want anything from me," he said quietly. "Because you look at me like you're not afraid of the devil everyone says I am. And because I can't read you. You make no sense to me, Thalia."
She blinked. "And that's a compliment? a small smile tugged at her lips. He saw it and almost smiled back.
"And" he added, eyes narrowing slightly, "you're the only girl who fights me on every single thing. It's irritating."
"Good," she said.
"Infuriating," he corrected.
"Perfect."
Their bickering softened the tension, but it didn't erase it. If anything, it made it heavier, warmer. Unspoken.
The car turned through tall, ornate gates, entering the estate.
The car stopped. Vicious stepped out, then looked back at her.
"Welcome home," he said softly.
Before she could answer, the front doors burst open.
"MISS THALIA!"
Lily flew down the steps like a tiny tornado. Thalia barely had time to react before Lily collided with her, arms wrapped around her neck in a fierce hug.
"I missed you so much!" Lily squeezed her so hard Thalia almost lost her balance. "You were gone for days! I thought something happened to you"
"Lily, breathe," Thalia laughed, hugging her back. "I'm fine. I promise."
Behind them, Vicious watched with a quiet, unreadable smile.
"Wow," he drawled, "someone's more excited to see you than me."
Welcome home sir sorry I didn't mean any disrespect. Lily said looking down.