Blood in the Water

In a world of predators, the scent of betrayal never fades.

Adrian...

The warehouse reeked of gasoline and desperation.

Adrian stood in the center of the dimly lit space, the glow of a single overhead bulb casting shadows that stretched and twisted along the concrete walls. The cold air carried the scent of steel, dampness, and blood. The last part wasn't new.

A man knelt before him, wrists bound behind his back, head hanging low. Blood trickled from his split lip, staining the collar of his once-crisp shirt. Adrian watched him with quiet calculation, the weight of his gun resting comfortably in his hand.

Dante stood beside him, arms crossed. "He's not talking."

Adrian cocked his head slightly, stepping forward. "That's unfortunate."

The man groaned as Adrian grabbed a fistful of his hair, yanking his head back to meet his gaze. Fear flickered in his eyes, but it wasn't enough. He was holding on to something—loyalty, perhaps? Or was it simply the misguided hope that someone would come for him?

No one would.

"Tell me who paid you to leak the shipment location." Adrian's voice was eerily calm.

"I—I don't know what you're talking about," the man stammered, licking the blood from his split lip.

Adrian sighed. "Wrong answer."

The gunshot echoed through the warehouse as Adrian pulled the trigger—aiming not for the man's head, but for the space just beside his ear. The sound was deafening, the pressure enough to rattle his skull. The man flinched violently, his entire body trembling as a scream tore from his throat.

"I won't miss next time," Adrian murmured, pressing the barrel against his forehead. "Who. Paid. You."

The man gasped for air, chest heaving. Then, finally, the crack appeared.

"T-They paid me to make sure the deal was exposed," he stuttered. "Said it would send a message. That you weren't untouchable."

Adrian's grip tightened. "Who is 'they'?"

"I don't know," the man pleaded. "I never saw them—only middlemen. Just a voice on the phone."

Adrian studied him for a long moment, then pulled back. "Dante."

Dante nodded, stepping forward. Without hesitation, he delivered a swift punch to the man's gut, sending him gasping to the ground. Adrian turned away, inhaling deeply as he collected his thoughts.

Someone was orchestrating this. Someone who wanted him weakened, exposed. The stolen shipment was a warning.

And now they had his full attention.

Behind him, Dante adjusted his cuffs. "What do you want to do with him?"

Adrian glanced over his shoulder, his gaze unreadable. "Make sure he remembers what happens when people cross me."

Dante smirked. "With pleasure."

As Adrian walked out of the warehouse, the sound of bones crunching beneath Dante's fists followed him. It was all noise to Adrian now. His mind was already on what came next.

Celeste was waiting by the car, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. She had been watching from the sidelines, but Adrian knew she had questions.

"Did you get what you wanted?" she asked as he approached.

He met her gaze, his tone flat. "Not enough."

She tilted her head. "And you think breaking him more will get you answers?"

Adrian smirked. "No. But it will send a message."

Celeste's jaw clenched, but she said nothing. Instead, she turned and got into the car. Adrian slid in beside her, exhaling as the driver pulled away from the warehouse.

The silence between them was thick, crackling with unspoken tension. Celeste finally broke it.

"So what's next?"

Adrian tapped his fingers against his knee. "We find out who's pulling the strings."

She studied him, then spoke, her voice quieter. "And what if it's someone close to you?"

He turned to look at her, something dark flickering in his gaze. "Then I make an example out of them."

She didn't flinch, but he could see the wariness in her eyes. Good. She needed to remember what kind of man he was.

What kind of monster they had both agreed to dance with.