Alexander Sterling stood at the floor to ceiling window of his penthouse office, the city's skyline reflected in his piercing blue eyes. At forty-five, he was the epitome of success a self-made billionaire who had transformed a modest startup into Sterling Enterprises, a global conglomerate with interests in technology, finance, and real estate. His charisma and ruthless business acumen had earned him both admiration and fear. Today, he was about to seal a deal that would further cement his dominance.
Down in the underbelly of the city, Victor Rossi held court in a dimly lit room filled with the smoke of expensive cigars. The head of the Rossi crime family, Victor had clawed his way to the top through a combination of intelligence, ruthlessness, and a code of honor that bound his loyal followers. At forty eight, he had seen it all the betrayals, the power struggles, and the relentless pursuit of control. Tonight, he had a meeting that could shift the balance of power in the city.