Midnight Code

The streets of Abu Dhabi blurred past them as Aziel sped through the city, his grip firm on the wheel. Laila sat beside him, her fists clenched in her lap, mind racing. Khaled had just made it personal.

Aziel had enemies—many. But Khaled? He wasn’t just another man in the game. He was the kind that didn’t leave loose ends.

And now, Aziel was one.

Laila turned to Aziel. “We need a plan.”

His jaw was tight, his knuckles white against the steering wheel. “I already have one.”

She raised a brow. “Oh? Mind sharing it with your wife?”

Aziel’s lips twitched, the ghost of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. “Didn’t know you were so committed, habibti.”

Laila rolled her eyes but felt her cheeks heat up. “Shut up and talk.”

Aziel took a sharp turn, the tires screeching slightly. “We’re going deep underground. No more hiding in plain sight.”

Laila frowned. “And?”

Aziel shot her a sideways glance, his dark eyes gleaming with something dangerous. “And we’re going to use Khaled’s own game against him.”

Laila exhaled sharply. “You want to lure him in?”

Aziel smirked. “I want to burn his empire to the ground.”

---

The Safehouse

The building was unassuming. A regular apartment complex in the heart of the city—nothing about it screamed "spy lair."

But Laila knew better.

Aziel led her inside, his hand pressing lightly against her back as he guided her through a security scanner. "You’re safe here."

Laila scoffed. "I was safe until you found me, remember?"

Aziel just chuckled. "And yet, here we are, married and plotting the downfall of a criminal mastermind."

Laila crossed her arms, leaning against the counter. "So, what’s next, boss?"

Aziel took off his jacket, tossing it over the back of a chair. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, exposing the lean muscle of his forearms. "We need to make it believable."

Laila raised a brow. "Make what believable?"

Aziel stepped closer, his smirk turning into something more serious. "That we’re truly married."

Laila’s heart skipped.

Aziel was good at keeping his emotions locked down. But right now, there was something in his expression—something unreadable.

"Khaled will be watching," he continued. "If he suspects this is fake, he’ll use it against us. We have to make him believe we’re in love."

Laila swallowed. "And how do you plan on doing that?"

Aziel tilted his head, considering her for a moment. "Trust me, habibti. I’ll make it convincing."

Laila’s breath caught in her throat. "You better."

Aziel’s smirk deepened. "Oh, I will."