The yacht Sea Serpent cut through the Persian Gulf like a knife through silk. Santino stood on the deck, watching Dubai's skyline shrink behind them. The city lights looked like scattered diamonds against the black water."You're brooding again," Tatiana said.She came up beside him, carrying two glasses of champagne. Her red hair whipped in the sea breeze. She wore a white dress that the wind pressed against her body."I don't brood," Santino said."Right, you meditate aggressively," Tatiana replied.Despite everything, Santino smiled. "Is that what I do?""Among other things." She handed him a glass. "Drink. You look like you need it."The champagne was good. Everything on Tatiana's yacht was expensive."How long until we reach international waters?" Santino asked."Twenty minutes. Then you're officially a free man," Tatiana said."I haven't been free in years.""That's because you choose the wrong women."Santino looked at her. "Present company excluded?""I'm not trying to kill yo

The Mercedes cut through Barcelona's evening traffic as Santino's knuckles were white on the steering wheel. The city blurred past him. His phone buzzed against the passenger seat. Mia again, he let it ring without picking.Club Octana sat on the corner of Passeig de Gràcia like a black jewel. The neon sign was dark. No music pounded from inside. The usual crowd of beautiful people was gone.Santino parked across the street and the building. Looking for movement any signs traps. He noticed nothing.He crossed the street. The front door was unlocked but swung open at his touch.Inside, the club felt like a tomb. Emergency lighting cast everything in red. The dance floor was empty. The bar was abandoned. Bottles lined the shelves like soldiers waiting for orders."Salvatore?" His voice echoed in the silence.No answer.Santino walked to the bar and found a bottle of whiskey. He poured himself three shots as the amber liquid burned his throat."You always said this place was our future