CAUGHT IN HIS WEB

CHAPTER 1

“Ouch!”

Nia Davers hit the cold, hard ground of the quiet, dim street with a wince. She looked up, glaring at the guy who had just collided with her. Instead of apologizing, he laughed with his friends, clearly amused by her fallen state.

“You’ve got eyes, don’t you?” the guy sneered, arrogance dripping from his voice.

Nia stared in disbelief.

Was he serious?

It was night and she couldn't see his face properly from where she sat on the floor. However, she could sniff out his ugly behaviour. He’d been the one not paying attention, strolling carelessly with his friends. The audacity of it all made her blood boil.

“Maybe you should be apologizing instead of asking such a stupid question,” she shot back, brushing off her clothes as she stood. Her eyes darted down to her scattered groceries, and she let out a weary sigh.

Dinner time was already slipping away, and now she would have to waste precious minutes gathering her things.

The guy's face twisted in a mixture of offense and surprise. He turned to his companions—three of them. Two were identical twins, though oddly, their eyes were different colors: one had green eyes, the other blue.

“What did you just say?” the rude guy asked, his voice sharp with disbelief.

“You’ve got ears, don’t you?” Nia retorted, unbothered.

The green-eyed twin chuckled, his amusement only adding fuel to the rude guy’s anger.

“Do you even know who you’re talking to?” the blue-eyed twin chimed in, his tone suggesting she was crazy.

Nia huffed, sparing them all a single glance. “Do I look like I care?” she asked, crouching to collect her groceries.

“This lowlife is insane,” the rude guy muttered, his words making her freeze mid-motion.

Her hands clenched into fists. Lowlife. That word struck a nerve. She hated being reminded of her modest status, especially by guys who seemed to think wealth equated to superiority.

Straightening, Nia fixed him with a steely glare. “Lowlife? Just because you can afford burgers and pizzas doesn’t make you a highlife, kid,” she said, motioning to the snacks that had spilled from his bag.

The green-eyed twin burst into laughter, the sound rich and genuine. For a moment, Nia almost joined him especially when she saw the rude guy’s mouth fall open, but for the seriousness of the situation she didn't.

The rude guy’s face darkened. He reduced the distance between them in two long strides, towering over her. Nia hadn’t realized how tall he was—easily above 6ft compared to her 5'6. His build was strong, imposing.

Still, she refused to back down.

“Since we’re talking about burgers and pizzas,” he said with a smirk, “why don’t you pick them up?”

His tone was so condescending it made her feel like a servant.

Nia glared harder at him directly, though her resolve faltered for a split second. Up close, she noticed just how handsome he was. Or rather stunning. Messy golden curls framed a chiseled face that had every feature perfect. His hazel eyes, sharp and piercing, held a magnetic allure, and his full lips were meant to please a woman.

The smirk on those lips widened.

“Ah, it seems like you recognize me now,” he drawled.

Nia frowned, snapping out of it. “Recognize you? Was I even supposed to know you?”

His smirk faltered, and the green-eyed twin chuckled again.

“Damn she’s got balls. Doesn’t seem like she’s lying either. If she knew us, I bet she’d have a very different reaction,” he said with a lopsided smile.

The rude guy looked insulted, as if her ignorance of him was a personal affront. “Unbelievable, Conan. I think she’s messing with us.”

Messing with you? Who are you people?

Nia thought, baffled.

“Who’re you? Perhaps you can give me a good reason while I should feel sorry for not knowing a crap about you,” Nia said, placing her hands on her hips and tilting her head to the side.

Conan, the green-eyed twin who seemed to find everything funny, turned away, stifling another laugh.

“I'm giving you no s**t. Pick up my stuff then perhaps I'll forgive you and let this all slide,” he commanded.

Nia’s jaw tightened.

Who the f**k is this arrogant d**k!

She looked him over from head to toe.

“You know what, I'm leaving, I think you're drunk.”

She turned to go, but his voice stopped her.

“Drunk? No, sweetheart. I actually think you need a reality check,” he said, pulling an expensive phone from his pocket.

The blue-eyed twin frowned.

“Who’re you calling?”

“Franklin,” the rude guy replied, with an evil smile which still managed to be charming at the same time. “This girl needs to learn some respect.”

Nia’s heart skipped a beat, though she masked her fear with defiance by lifting her chin.

Before she could respond, the fourth guy—silent until now—stepped forward.

“Let it go,” he said, his deep voice calm but firm.

Nia glanced at him. She couldn't make out his features as he stood closest in the shadows, his face obscured, but his presence carried weight.

The rude guy glared at him, then sighed dramatically, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

“Fine,” he said, shooting Nia one last glare. “But just hope I don’t see you again.”

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. “And for the snacks? You can have them all. I know you want them.”

Nia burned with fury as she watched him walk away, his confidence evident in every step. Even his strut oozed arrogance as he slid into the front passenger seat of a sleek black SUV parked nearby, with the blue-eyed twin following close behind him. She hadn't even noticed the car before. The tinted windows made it impossible to see inside.

Conan sauntered over, his green eyes glittering with amusement as he stopped in front of her.

“Damn, girl. You’ve got some balls. I’ve never seen the Daredevil rattled like that,” he said, grinning.

Nia frowned, tilting her head. “The Daredevil?”

Conan didn’t answer. Instead, he flashed his trademark lopsided smile she knew has won the hearts of many ladies, and joined the others in the car without another word.

She stood there as the SUV’s headlights flicked on, the engine roaring to life. The driver's window rolled down, and to her surprise, it was the buzz-cut guy who leaned out, his gaze locking onto hers.

“To clear up your confusion,” he said, voice calm, “Google the name Duvernoy. I’m sure you’ll find your answers.” Without waiting for a response, he rolled up the window, and the SUV sped off into the night.

Duvernoy.

The name echoed in Nia’s mind as she adjusted her school bag and picked up the scattered groceries that were on the ground. Puzzled but intrigued, she started the walk home, the wheels in her head turning with curiosity.