Adrian sat in the corner of a dimly lit bar, swirling a glass of whiskey between his fingers. The amber liquid reflected the faint neon lights above, but his focus was elsewhere. His eyes, sharp and dark, scanned the crowd with predatory intent. It had been weeks since he'd tried to walk a different path—weeks since he'd convinced himself that Lila had been something different. But here he was, slipping back into his old ways, where there were no attachments, no emotions, and no consequences.
A young woman with auburn hair and a revealing dress sidled up to him, her eyes shimmering with interest. She was drawn to him like they all were—his magnetic presence, his aura of danger. Adrian looked at her, his lips curving into a slow, lazy smirk.
"Can I get you another drink?" she offered, leaning closer, her perfume flooding his senses.
Adrian chuckled, low and dark. "Only if you're on the menu too," he said, his voice dripping with charm and menace.
