Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

Irene watched him handle the situation with cool composure, a slight smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

"Kenzo, relax a bit. Those dozen families are still after the Lynch family, and our forces have already pulled back. We've got the time and energy to focus elsewhere. This game is way more fun when you play it slow, don't you think?" She leaned against Kenzo's back, wrapping her arms around his neck. But Kenzo stayed locked onto the screen in front of him.

"Once King's reinforcements from Saudi arrive, those families will crumble. We can't just wait around. Unless, of course, you've got another ace up your sleeve, Irene."

Irene raised an eyebrow and tilted her head to plant a kiss on his cheek.

"Kenzo, sometimes I wonder if you've been undercover by my side this whole time. How else would you know everything?"

Kenzo's face softened, his gaze shifting from the screen to her.

"You've had Colton play the public leader for years. At first, he must've been pretty pissed because everyone who comes here is a bit unhinged. But your dad chose him, made him your right-hand man. You must have something on him, something that keeps him in check."

Irene's lips curved into a sly smile, her fingertips tracing circles on Kenzo's chest.

"And what makes you think I didn't just win him over in bed?"

"Got any aces, Irene?" he asked casually, his fingers lifting her chin. "What'll it take for you to show your hand?"

Irene laughed, her eyes twinkling mischievously, like a beautiful but deadly flower.

"Of course I do, but that ace is for my husband. Kenzo, are you ready to take on that role? We've come this far; I doubt you'd refuse, right?"

She was like a hunter, watching her prey walk into her trap. But between Irene and Kenzo, it was hard to tell who was the hunter and who was the prey.

Irene had told Colton before that she considered Kenzo her fiancé. But that wasn't anything special; she had said the same about every man she'd been with, yet they were all fleeting moments.

Colton saw something different in her feelings for Kenzo because when Kenzo joined, Irene personally went to pick him up-a treatment that set him apart from the get-go.

So Colton warned her not to get too involved, saying this man was heartless.

But Irene felt she was heartless too.

Two heartless people together, that's more interesting, isn't it?

"Become my husband, date me, and I'll lay all my cards on the table. How about that?" she whispered seductively, her lips brushing his ear.

Kenzo's eyes narrowed, and he pulled her closer by the waist.

"What's the procedure?"

Irene laughed against his shoulder.

"Of course, it's the wedding night. Let's have everyone together tonight, celebrate."

Kenzo picked her up in his arms and headed for the bed.

"As you wish."

"Kenzo, I really do like you."

The place quickly buzzed with excitement, not just because the organization had masterminded the attack by the dozen families on the Lynch family and King, but also because the new leader was getting married to Irene.

This was unexpected for everyone.

Ms. Irene had been around for years, with a revolving door of men in her bed. Though she always talked about getting married, it was never serious.

Several of her lovers even ended up dead by her hand.

She was like a toxic poppy, always drawing people in, but those who got close rarely had a happy ending.

Getting hooked on the poppy meant only one outcome: death.

Everyone thought Kenzo would end up the same. Initially, he didn't resist Ms. Irene's advances, and the two were inseparable, sharing intimate moments in every corner. Passersby would often hear them.