Chapter 2.3 — Jax

"Well," I smiled, undeterred by Moon's challenging demeanor. "I possess valuable information."

"What's the point?" Moon retrieved a cigarette, and Sun dutifully lit it for him. How the man managed to endure despite his habits remained a mystery to me.

"Moon, take a seat," Sun urged, patting his back. Complying, Moon exhaled a plume of smoke, his attention now fixed on our conversation. "I'm listening," Sun directed his focus back to me.

A faint crease formed on Sun's brow. Whether he had caught on to my intentions or if it was merely a response to his right-hand man's behavior, I couldn't ascertain.

"I am certain you are already aware of this, which is precisely why I have been granted this audience," I began, my voice dripping with confidence.

Though Sky held a position of superiority in terms of power, I possessed something they desired with equal fervor, rendering us equals in this negotiation. However, my second encounter with Moon left me slightly concerned that he might pose a threat to the success of our deal.

I glanced at Simon, who promptly retrieved a file from his inner pocket.

"I have heard that you have been in search of him," I stated, placing the file on the table.

No one's expression betrayed any change, yet an unmistakable shift in the atmosphere permeated the room. Perhaps their desperation ran even deeper than I had anticipated.

"Can I trust this?" Sun inquired, his response quick and unwavering. This matter seemed to hold a personal significance for them, separate from their respective districts.

"Of course," I responded, deliberately withholding the file despite Sun's expectation. "This is the culmination of countless hours of painstaking effort. You understand the gravity of that, do you not? Especially considering the fact that no other individual could provide you with such valuable information."

"I shall draft the contract," Sun declared with a smile. "I shall request nothing more than the file itself."

"And I want the VIP alliance," I asserted boldly.

To make such a request directly to a fellow Mafia lord, rather than waiting to be offered the alliance, was a direct affront to their group—a display of desperation. Tradition dictated silence, allowing others to extend the invitation.

But if I had adhered to tradition, I would still be wallowing in mediocrity.

Sun was about to respond when I swiftly interjected, cutting off his words. "By the way, the information in this file is three days old. You are aware that he would not have remained in the same location for that long, correct?"

"I am well aware," Sun replied, his smile undeterred as he gestured to one of the silent figures in the room, signaling them to bring the contract. "I eagerly anticipate this partnership."

And then it struck me. They were even more desperate than I had initially surmised. Sun, notorious for handling personal matters himself rather than relying on his gang, differed from many others in his approach.

Though curiosity piqued within me, I had obtained what I desired from this meeting. Lingering any longer would be an unnecessary waste of time.

"Mr. J," Moon's voice suddenly cut through the air, catching me off guard, though I maintained an outwardly composed demeanor. "I knew I had encountered you before." He appeared surprisingly more lucid now. "Could you wait for me after the meeting? I have something to discuss with you."

His gaze sharpened, and a mischievous Cheshire grin played upon his lips.

That exquisite countenance of his...

"I will," I replied, fully aware that indulging in anything in front of Sun would be unwise. However, Moon tempted me in a way I hadn't anticipated, awakening desires I didn't think were possible.

"You two know each other?" Sun's voice betrayed a hint of irritation, and I could have sworn I detected a twitch in his eye. It seemed my presence in Moon's life had stirred some discomfort within him. An affair, perhaps? Though it felt more one-sided than reciprocated.

"Mhm," Moon confirmed, accepting the VIP contract from the woman seated beside him. "Met last night. Probably." He extinguished his cigarette, having barely made a dent in it.

"We'll discuss this later," Sun interjected, retrieving the document from Moon and quickly scanning its contents before passing it to the man seated at his left, who then handed it to me.

"Is there any clause you'd like to add?" The twitch in Sun's eye confirmed my suspicion. The mention of my involvement had clearly unsettled him. A love affair, perhaps? Though it seemed to be more on his end than mine.

I perused the contract, scrutinizing every word. Drake tapped the back of my seat once, indicating that there were no hidden loopholes in its clauses.

Sky's representatives had already signed and stamped their sections. I removed my ring, pressing it into the red ink Simon had prepared, and firmly stamped both copies of the document—one for our possession and one for them.

Lily. The stamp bore my signature in elegant cursive. Satisfied with the result, I handed the appropriate copy to Simon, while Drake gathered G's files and brought them to Sun.

"I assume there's nothing further to discuss?" I was eager to make my exit. Fresh air awaited, and if luck was on my side, perhaps even a more enticing encounter. "I'll be taking my leave then."

"Should this alliance expire, you'll find another, won't you?" Sun questioned, to which I nodded with a smile. Soon enough, he would be crawling back to Lily. This alliance had reached its expiration date.

As I exited the room, I refrained from saying anything more. "I'll take the stairs," I informed Simon and Drake. "You two can use the elevator."

"Yes, sir," they acknowledged, having caught on to my intention. Just before departing, Moon motioned discreetly towards the stairs, propping himself against the wall to conceal his actions from Sun's watchful gaze. "Thirty minutes?"

I nodded, and they departed. The staircase was undoubtedly the shabbiest area within the building, lacking cleanliness and grandeur.

Leaning against the wall, I contemplated lighting a cigarette when the door swung open, revealing Moon's smug and satisfied expression. Never before had I seen the moon shine brighter than the sun, until now.

"Hi," he grinned, exuding an aura of someone who kept their work and personal life strictly separate. Or perhaps he was merely different when under the influence. Regardless, I yearned to savor his company for as long as possible.

"Hi," I responded, my lips curling into a self-assured smile that oozed with confidence. I took pride in this smile—it made me appear more dangerous than I truly was, and in this realm, that was a tantalizing quality. "I thought you didn't do repeats."

"I don't do love," he declared, closing the distance between us with a carefree stride. A mischievous glint danced in his eyes, adding to his confident allure. Deep and bitter cologne mingled with the smoke, creating an intoxicating blend that heightened the tension in the air. "But handsome lords... oh, they get me going."

With a swift motion, I pulled him closer, unable to resist the magnetic pull between us. Moon's presence ignited a fire within me, and I craved the taste of his lips against mine.

"You're not my first catch," I revealed, my voice dripping with a mixture of anticipation and desire. Closing the remaining gap, I teased our lips together, savoring the delicious proximity. "And I must admit, I have a particular fondness for leaving my mark where others have dared to touch. If you're willing, that is."

A devious grin spread across Moon's face, his confidence radiating in every word he spoke. His voice, deep and velvety, carried a hint of Southern charm that sent shivers down my spine.

"Well, you've got quite the tongue," he chuckled, his gaze filled with delight as he leaned in even closer, his warm breath caressing my lips. "And if you're offering, I wouldn't mind getting a taste. Let me show you the pleasures that'll make you weak in the knees."

His words carried a promise of untamed pleasure, an invitation to indulge in the most carnal desires. At that moment, I knew that surrendering to the lewd temptations Moon offered would be an experience beyond compare.