17.

Chapter 17

The air between them crackled with tension, so thick it was suffocating. Sunoo could practically feel the weight of Riki’s presence pressing down on him, daring him to make a move. Every part of him screamed to get up, to walk out of the room before this spiraled any further. But there was something about the way Riki looked at him—like a predator circling its prey—that made it impossible to turn away.

Riki’s laughter still lingered in the air, vibrating through Sunoo’s chest, making his heart race even faster. He could see the madness in Riki’s eyes now, a madness that twisted and turned, like something alive and feral. He shouldn’t be this captivated, this drawn in, but he was. And the worst part? Riki knew it.

Sunoo fought to keep his voice steady. “You think you have me all figured out?”

Riki’s grin didn’t fade. “I think I’ve figured out how to make you squirm.” He leaned forward again, chains clinking as he did, his eyes never leaving Sunoo’s face. “You really think I don’t know what you want, doc?”

Sunoo leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. “Is that so?” He let his gaze flicker over Riki’s restrained form, taking in the way the chains hung loosely from his wrists, the faint flush of excitement coloring his pale skin. “I think you’re the one who’s getting a little too eager.”

Riki’s laugh was low this time, almost dangerous. “I’m always eager for a challenge.” His voice dropped a shade lower, his words almost a growl. “And you, Sunoo... you’re a hell of a challenge.”

Something twisted in Sunoo’s chest, a sharp, unexpected feeling. It wasn’t fear—no, it wasn’t that. But it was close. There was something intoxicating about Riki's confidence, his utter belief that he had control over everything. Even now, in chains, he made it feel like he was the one pulling the strings.

“Is that so?” Sunoo purred, leaning in just a little closer. He could feel the weight of Riki’s gaze on him, like it was caressing every inch of his skin. “Then maybe I’ll give you a challenge of my own.”

Without thinking, Sunoo stood up, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. He was done with this subtle back-and-forth. He was done playing by Riki’s rules. It was time to take control—his control. Slowly, deliberately, he walked around the table, moving closer to Riki until he was standing right in front of him, their faces inches apart.

Riki’s breath hitched ever so slightly. For a moment, it looked like he was caught off guard, but that familiar smirk soon returned, sharp and mocking.

“Oh? You want to play now?” Riki’s voice was thick with amusement. “You know I’m always game, doc.”

Sunoo’s heart raced in his chest, but he kept his cool. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Riki.” He let his gaze drop to Riki’s restrained wrists, the chains glinting under the harsh fluorescent lights. Then, with a swift motion, he slid onto Riki’s lap, straddling him in one fluid movement, his legs positioned on either side of Riki’s.

For a second, time seemed to freeze.

Riki’s breath caught, his eyes widening in something between shock and unbridled desire. His lips parted, but no words came out. The moment hung in the air between them, electric, dangerous.

Sunoo smirked, leaning in just enough so that his breath was hot against Riki’s ear. “You’re not the only one who knows how to play dirty.”

And then—then Riki laughed.

But this time, it wasn’t that manic, wild laughter. No, this was something darker, deeper. It rumbled in his chest, a sound that made the room feel even smaller, even more suffocating. He threw his head back, his laugh growing louder, sharper, until it echoed off the walls. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous madness, a look that made Sunoo’s stomach twist in ways he didn’t fully understand.

“You really think you can win this, don’t you, doc?” Riki purred, his hands twitching at the restraints, as though he were fighting the urge to touch Sunoo, to grab him and drag him closer.

Sunoo leaned back slightly, looking down at Riki with a teasing glint in his eyes. “I’m not trying to win, Riki. I’m just making sure you don’t forget who’s in charge here.”

Riki’s laughter slowed, but the glint in his eyes only grew more intense. His lips curled up into a slow, knowing smile. “You’re cute, doc. Really cute.”

Sunoo’s pulse quickened, but he refused to break. “Remember where you are, Riki,” he said, his voice low and steady. “You’re in an asylum. You’re the one in chains.”

The words hung in the air, a final shot across the bow. Riki’s grin faltered for just a fraction of a second—just enough for Sunoo to know that, yes, it had gotten to him. That hint of vulnerability, that fleeting crack in his facade, was all Sunoo needed.

But Riki didn’t let it linger. The smile returned, this time twisted and manic, like he was savoring something delicious, something dangerous.

“Oh, I know exactly where I am, doc,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Sunoo held his ground, though his stomach was twisting with the weight of the game they were playing. Because somewhere deep down, he knew—Riki was never going to let him win.

But that didn’t mean Sunoo was going to stop playing.

Not now. Not ever.

He gave Riki one last teasing glance before sliding off his lap, moving back to his seat, though he made sure to leave the faintest trace of tension in the air.

“Let’s get back to business, shall we?” Sunoo’s voice was smooth, but the sharp edge was there, hidden beneath the calm surface. “You still owe me some answers, Riki.”

Riki’s smile never faltered, but there was something in his eyes that spoke volumes—something darker, something far more dangerous than the game they were playing.

“Oh, I’ll give you your answers, doc,” Riki purred, his voice dripping with promise. “But I think you’ll wish you never asked.”

And Sunoo—well, Sunoo wasn’t sure if he was ready for what was coming next.

But he was damn sure he wasn’t going to back down now.