No lines left to cross

India took her time heading home.

PPP was still buzzing, music pulsing through the walls, but she was done for the night.

Cassandra was gone. Handled.

And Chris? He was waiting.

She smirked, sliding into her car and speeding down the dark streets.

By the time she got home, it was past 3 AM.

The villa was quiet—too quiet.

She stepped inside, kicking off her heels, eyes scanning the dimly lit space.

Then she heard it.

Ice clinking.

She turned the corner and found Chris sitting in the lounge, a glass of whiskey in his hand, his demeanor as unreadable as ever.

"Didn't think you'd take your time," he said, voice low.

India smirked, walking toward him. "I don't like being summoned."

Chris's dark eyes flickered with amusement as he leaned back in his chair. "And yet, here you are."

She plopped onto the couch across from him, crossing her legs slowly. "You got rid of your little problem?"

Chris sipped his drink. "She ain't my problem no more."

India tilted her head. "What happened to her?"

He just looked at her, silent.

Deadly.

She grinned. "Right."

Silence stretched between them.

Chris finally set his glass down. "You did good, India."

She blinked, surprised. Chris didn't hand out compliments. Ever.

She masked her reaction with a cocky shrug. "Of course I did."

Chris chuckled, shaking his head. "You love testing me, don't you?"

India leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a tease. "Maybe I just like making you work for it."

Chris's gaze darkened, his smirk slow. Predatory.

In a second, he was up, closing the space between them. He reached down, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his touch light but commanding.

"Careful, baby," he murmured. "You might actually get what you're asking for."

Her heart pounded, but she kept her cool.

She let her lips curl into a smirk. "Good."

Chris stared at her for a long moment, then laughed—deep, rough, and dangerous.

Then he stepped back, grabbing his glass again. "Get some rest, India."

She exhaled slowly, watching him. Game still on.

India held his gaze, feeling the thick tension in the air.

Chris was testing her—again.

But this time, she wasn't backing down.

She stood up, closing the distance between them.

"Why do you do that?" she murmured.

Chris raised a brow. "Do what?"

She tilted her head, eyes locked on his. "Pull back like you don't want this."

Chris let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You sure you wanna start this conversation, ma?"