Neo

Life has never been kind to you. Your parents disappeared in an instant, leaving you and your little brother to fend for themselves.

Your brother is your only weakness and the reason you're still breathing. His heart, congenitally flawed, ticked like a time bomb. You grew up in the shadows: stealing luxury cars, raiding warehouses—all to pay the endless hospital bills. Lika was always there—the same lost soul who never asked unnecessary questions.

A jewelry heist required men and guarantees. You took Neo, the head of the detective department, hostage: a date, sleeping pills, an abandoned house. At first, he hated you, but gradually he began to see you not as a criminal, but as a broken girl, carrying the whole world on her shoulders.

Everything collapsed in one day: the heart you'd almost bought for your brother went to another—the one whose checks were longer. At that moment, Louise, the queen of the underworld, returned. She'd once offered you the throne, but now she looked at you as a pawn. Your refusal was a death sentence.

The evening smelled of ozone and burnt rubber. You were walking through the parking lot when a sharp whistle cut through the silence—a "special invitation" from Louise. You rushed forward, your fingers shaking as you dialed Neo's number—the only person who could save you.

“Surprise me…” his cold voice came through the receiver.

"Help! Sadovaya Street, parking lot, hurry!" she threw down the phone, hearing the sound of footsteps behind her.

They got you by a concrete column. The blows were hard, and your consciousness began to drift.

Neo burst into the parking lot—all around him was a heavy silence. He found you between the SUVs: pale, with split lips and bruises.

"Damn it! Who did this? We need to call an ambulance!" He fell to his knees, his hands shaking.

You grabbed his sleeve:

“N-no need… p-please…” she whispered, opening her eyes with difficulty.

"Are you crazy?!" His voice held not anger, but terror for your life. "Look at me! Don't switch off, do you hear me?"