Berry stopped three feet in front of him. Her chest was heaving, her perfectly applied makeup unable to hide the bright, flushed red of her cheeks. She looked at his calm, entirely unbothered face, and it only made her angrier."I called your name," Berry demanded, her voice shaking with a mix of fury and something deeply vulnerable. "I know you heard me. Why are you running away? Why do you constantly avoid me like a plague every single time we are in the same city?""Hello, Berry," Dane replied, his voice painfully polite and entirely devoid of emotion. "I am not avoiding you. I am simply very busy tonight. Excuse me, I have urgent matters to attend to elsewhere."He gave her a brief, dismissive nod and stepped to the side, attempting to walk past her.Before Dane could take two steps, a man violently threw his arm out, physically blocking Dane’s path.It was one of Berry’s most desperate sycophants—a young, arrogant heir named Bary, dressed in a bespoke navy-blue tuxedo. Bary had b

The large, heavy doors at the top of the grand stairs opened wide. The soft, quiet music in the big room stopped for a second, and a new, happy song began to play. Everyone in the beautiful ballroom stopped talking. They all turned their heads to look at the stairs.Patriarch Sterling had arrived.He was the guest of honor. Today was his eightieth birthday. He was an old man, with bright white hair and lines on his face, but he stood very tall and straight. He wore a dark, very nice suit. His eyes were sharp, bright, and full of life. He did not look weak at all. He looked like a man who held a lot of power and a lot of money.As he slowly walked down the marble steps, the rich crowd rushed toward him like a wave of water. Everyone wanted to be near him. Rich businessmen, smiling women in bright dresses, and young men in black suits crowded around him. They all smiled big, fake smiles."Happy birthday, Patriarch Sterling!" a rich man called out, holding up a glass of wine."We wish yo

The heavy, uncomfortable tension in the grand ballroom was thick enough to cut with a knife. Cade stood frozen in the center of the room, his face burning with deep, bitter humiliation after Dane’s public speech about Horizon Corp. The wealthy guests were still whispering, their eyes darting between the angry Cade and the calm, powerful Dane.Patriarch Sterling watched the drama unfold. He was a very wise man. He knew that if this tension continued, his beautiful eightieth birthday party would be completely ruined. He needed to change the mood immediately. He needed to bring the joy and the celebration back into the room.The old man raised his hands, asking for quiet. The whispering slowly stopped."My dear friends and honored guests!" the Patriarch announced, his strong voice echoing across the room. He smiled warmly, trying to push the dark shadows away. "We have had enough serious business for one night! Tonight is a celebration of life, of family, and of the future. And speaking

The iron gates of the mafia compound were locked tight. Outside in the dark, dozens of armed guards patrolled the high stone walls with vicious guard dogs. But inside the main house, in the master office, the air was entirely dead and silent. The room smelled of old leather, stale cigar smoke, and the sharp, chemical scent of medical alcohol.The crime boss sat in his heavy motorized wheelchair behind a massive oak desk. The room was dark, lit only by a single small lamp. Both of his arms were wrapped in thick, heavy white plaster casts. His shattered legs were bolted firmly to the metal footrests. He could not move without feeling a blinding, stabbing pain in his bones.Suddenly, the absolute silence was broken by a sharp, electronic buzz.A small, cheap black burner phone on the desk lit up.The father leaned his upper body forward, groaning in deep pain. He could not use his fingers, so he awkwardly nudged the phone with the edge of his cast until the screen turned on. It was a hi

Dane pressed the phone to his ear and walked briskly away from the chaotic Sterling estate. He ignored the flashing lights of the arriving police cars and the loud sirens filling the night. He had a specific target, and he needed to strike while the enemy was confused."Young Master," the Butler said through the secure line. "I have the latest report on the target.""Tell me," Dane replied, keeping his pace steady as he walked down the dark city street."Vaughn’s family is in a state of total panic," the Butler explained quickly. "Our surveillance teams just intercepted their internal communications. The father received a message from the Crimson Syndicate. He knows the sniper failed to kill you, and he knows his own position is completely exposed. He has ordered every single available guard to surround their main compound. They are locking down the entire property. Their movements are panicked and very sloppy. They are absolutely terrified you are coming for them tonight.""They have