d something. We're not just a crime syndicate, Eve. We're an empire. And empi

ed. "We've been playing it safe for too lon

m suspicion to intrigue. "Wh

tory? Let's crush him. The Italians are worried about their shipments? We'll double them. And as for our friends in ci

wly nodded. "Now that sounds like the Leo Kin

rating. What the hell had he just done? He was no crime lord. He was a co

omething stirred in his chest. A hunger he'd never known

s gone. Olivia

o King was just

ng over the keypad. One call could end this charade. One

the meeting. "Sergei? It's me. Get the boys together.

, he barely recognized himself. Gone was the defeated man who'd wander

d never be calle

across Mason's face.

.

xed on the computer screen. The name "Ethan Langford" glared back at him, a digital reminder of his hum

" Mason

of rare minerals and unusual discoveries. And of course, Oliv

in a tailored tuxedo, Olivia draped in diamonds, both of

city. Far enough that his new "associ

ir, his mind racing. The meeting with Rami

den with folders. "Got those files you asked for, boss. Surve

expression didn't betray

ied him. "You feeling alright,

kle. "Just tired. I

tone softened slightly. "You

d a beat. Had he mis

rthday, dummy. Don't tell me

. He scrambled to piece toget

ing to sound nonchalant. "The, u

opping a cool million like it's pocket

k black card. It gleamed in the low light, unmark

he desk. "One million dollars, ready to burn. Try not

More money than he'd ever seen in his life, let alone held in his hands.

to keep his voice steady. "H

aned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Let's just say it's got more zeroes t

d him plummeting. But as he looked at Eve – really looked at her – he saw so

. "Eve, I... I need t

stinctively moving towards the gun h

of his tongue. But then his eyes fell on the

's most exclusive event. A chance to sh

he said instead. "There's an auction tomorrow night. Rar

ison Gala? Leo, that's not our

st say I've got my reasons. I need you to clear my schedule, get me the proper attir

. Finally, she nodded. "Alright, boss. Your call. But if you

himself a smal

ason called out, "And Eve

her face. Then she smirked. "Don't go soft on me now,

e, but the clock was ticking. Tomorrow night, he'd come face to face with Olivia and

er in his hands. A million dollars to spen

e desk. For a moment, he barely recognized himself. The defeated cont

t just be able t

ne glittered before him, a sea of lights and possibilities. Somewhere out there, Olivia w

nto a devilish smile.