Chapter 2
Elena's POV
The club pulsed with a steady rhythm, a deep bass vibrating through the floor as laughter and hushed conversations mixed with the scent of expensive whiskey and cigar smoke. Mirage, one of our finest establishments, was a place where deals were brokered in the dim glow of gold-plated chandeliers, and power shifted hands over whispered threats. It was my kingdom—a carefully spun web where I controlled every thread, but tonight, something felt off.
I leaned against the private lounge's railing, watching the sea of bodies below. My drink rested untouched on the glass table beside me. A cigarette burned between my fingers, its embers glowing softly in the low light. I didn't smoke, not really, but sometimes the motions of it helped me think.
Lorenzo sat across from me, his hulking form draped over the plush leather couch, his fingers lazily trailing over the armrest. "He's got potential," he said, swirling the amber liquid in his tumbler.
I exhaled a slow breath. "Potential is nothing without proof." "He's already proven himself," Lorenzo countered, a smirk playing at his lips. "That warehouse hit was clean—fast, efficient; no hesitation."
"Yes, but why?" I turned my gaze to the man standing near the bar, deep in conversation with our associates. Adrian Blackwood - or, at least, that's what he called himself.
I had spent years playing this game, and I could recognize a man with secrets. Adrian wasn't reckless like most men looking for a quick way up the ladder. He was too measured, too controlled, as if he had rehearsed every move before stepping into our world. And that made him dangerous.
"Tell me, Lorenzo," I continued, flicking ash into the tray. "Where did he come from? Who did he work for before this?"
Lorenzo huffed. "No past, no baggage. That's what makes him perfect." I set the cigarette down, tilting my head. "That's what makes him a liability."
Lorenzo rolled his eyes, draining the rest of his drink before standing. "You overthink too much, Elena. Just let the man do his job."
But that was exactly the problem. Men like Adrian didn't come from nowhere. And if he had no past, then it meant he was hiding something.
A Game of Strategy
As Lorenzo left, I turned back to the bar, watching Adrian through the reflection of the lounge's glass panel. He carried himself like someone used to command, someone who had seen blood and wasn't afraid to spill more. Yet, he was careful—calculated.
I needed to know if he was truly an asset or just another man trying to play a game he didn't understand. I pushed off the railing and moved through the VIP section, my heels clicking against the polished floor. By the time I reached the bar, Adrian had already noticed me, his head turning slightly in acknowledgment.
"Enjoying the view?" he asked, his voice smooth, unaffected. I signaled the bartender for another drink. "I prefer to study new additions to our circle."
He smirked. "And? What's your assessment?"
I took a slow sip, meeting his gaze over the rim of my glass. "Too soon to tell."
A flicker of amusement crossed his expression, but he didn't push. Smart. He knew better than to challenge me directly.
"Your work at the warehouse was clean," I admitted. "Precise. But anyone can fire a gun. What I want to know is how you think."
Adrian leaned against the bar, mirroring my stance. "And how exactly do you plan to find that out?" I smiled, slow and deliberate. "I like to set traps and see if people get caught in them." Something dark flashed in his eyes, but it was gone before I could place it. "Sounds like a dangerous game." "Only for those who don't know how to play."
The First Test
I led him out of the club and into the cool night air. Blackridge at this hour was a city of shadows and whispered deals, a place where the real work happened away from prying eyes.
A sleek black car was already waiting. I slid inside, motioning for Adrian to follow.
"Where are we going?" he asked, settling into the seat beside me. I crossed my legs, resting my hands in my lap. "Somewhere I can see what you're really capable of."
The driver pulled away from the curb, and for a while, we rode in silence. I let him sit with the weight of the unknown. It was a test in itself—would he ask questions? Would he fidget? Would he show discomfort?
He did none of those things.
An Unexpected Encounter
We arrived at a quiet street in the heart of Blackridge's industrial district. It was an unassuming place, but I knew the truth—behind those metal doors, business thrived in ways the law would never condone.
As we stepped out of the car, a man emerged from the warehouse, his sharp features twisting into a grin when he saw me.
"Didn't expect a visit from you tonight, Elena," he said, adjusting the cuffs of his suit.
"Unexpected visits are the most revealing, don't you think?" I replied smoothly.
The man, Vincent Caruso, was one of our informants—a dealer with a talent for deception. And tonight, he was part of Adrian's test.
I turned to Adrian. "Vincent here runs operations for us. But lately, I've been hearing whispers that someone's been cutting into our supply chain."
Vincent raised a hand in mock offense. "Come now, Elena, you wound me."
I ignored him. "If you were me, Adrian, how would you handle a potential traitor?"
Aiden— because I knew by now that was his real name. I studied Vincent, his jaw tightening slightly.
"Depends," he said. "Do you want information or a message sent?" I tilted my head. "Surprise me."
There was no hesitation. One second, Vincent was smirking, and the next, Adrian had him shoved against the warehouse wall, an arm pressed against his throat.
"Do you know the difference between a good liar and a bad one?" Adrian murmured, his voice dangerously low. Vincent's smirk faltered.
"A bad liar panics when caught. A good liar prepares for the possibility," Adrian continued. "The best ones? They never get caught at all."
I watched, intrigued, as Adrian leaned in slightly. "You're not the best, Vincent. So tell me—how long have you been selling us out?"
Vincent stammered, but the fear in his eyes told me everything. He was guilty.
I took a step closer. "You disappoint me, Vincent." "Elena, please," he gasped. "I—
Aiden pressed harder. "You'll answer to her. Not me." I studied Vincent for a long moment before exhaling. "You're not worth the bullet, Vincent. But if I ever hear your name again… Vincent nodded frantically.
"Good." I turned away. "Let him go, Adrian." Adrian released him, stepping back without protest. The Beginning of a Dangerous Partnership
Back in the car, the air between us was different. I saw Adrian more clearly now—not just as an outsider trying to prove himself, but as a man who had spent years sharpening himself into a weapon.
"You didn't hesitate," I said finally.
"You told me to surprise you."
I smirked, looking out the window. "Consider me surprised." As Blackridge's skyline blurred past, one thought settled in my mind.
Adrian Blackwood was dangerous. But maybe, just maybe, he was exactly what I needed.