Chapter 6: The first move

The city looked different at night. The neon lights cast a hazy glow over the streets, turning shadows into something alive. The air smelled of rain, cigarettes, and the lingering scent of expensive cologne.

Selene walked beside me, her heels tapping against the pavement. She had dressed me in a sleek black dress, one that hugged my body just enough to make men turn their heads but not enough to give them what they wanted. That, she said, was the trick—always leave them wanting.

We approached a high-end bar on the corner of the street. The gold-plated sign above the door read Eden. The name didn't fit. This wasn't paradise—it was a hunting ground.

Selene stopped before the entrance and turned to me. "Tonight, you're going to practice."

I frowned. "Practice what?"

She smirked. "Control."

My stomach tightened, but I nodded.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of whiskey and expensive perfume. The music was soft, a slow jazz tune that made the atmosphere feel almost intimate. Dim lights flickered over polished tables and red velvet booths, where men in tailored suits whispered in hushed voices.

Selene guided me to the bar, placing a hand on the small of my back. She leaned in slightly. "See that man in the corner?"

I followed her gaze to a man sitting alone, swirling the drink in his glass. He was in his early forties, his suit perfectly pressed, his watch worth more than anything I had ever owned. But it was his posture that caught my attention—relaxed, yet guarded. He was used to being in control.

"What about him?" I asked.

Selene's lips curved into a smile. "He's one of the wealthiest men in this city. Owns half the buildings downtown."

I swallowed hard. "And you want me to do what, exactly?"

"Talk to him."

I turned to her, eyebrows raised. "That's it?"

She laughed softly. "Oh, sweetheart. You have no idea how powerful a conversation can be."

I hesitated for only a moment before pushing down my nerves and walking toward the man.

He didn't look up as I approached. His fingers tapped lightly against the rim of his glass, lost in thought.

I slid into the seat across from him. "Rough night?"

His gaze lifted to mine, sharp and assessing. He didn't smile, but something in his expression shifted—mild amusement, maybe curiosity.

"Depends," he said. "Are you here to make it worse or better?"

I smirked. "That depends on what you want."

He leaned back, studying me. "And what is it that you want?"

For a moment, I hesitated. What did I want? Money? Power? Escape?

I pushed the thought aside and focused. "A drink," I said smoothly.

He chuckled and gestured for the bartender. "Whiskey?"

"Neat," I replied.

Selene had been right. Control wasn't about offering yourself up—it was about making them come to you.

The bartender set my drink in front of me, and I took a slow sip, letting the warmth spread through me.

"So," the man said, his voice casual but calculated. "Are you one of Damien's girls?"

The question caught me off guard, but I kept my expression neutral.

"I don't belong to anyone," I said.

He smirked. "That's a dangerous thing to say in this city."

I tilted my head. "Maybe. But it's true."

For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, he nodded approvingly. "Interesting."

I had passed some sort of test, though I wasn't sure what it was.

He extended a hand. "Michael Devereaux."

I shook it. "Winnie."

"Just Winnie?"

"For now."

His smile widened, and I knew then that I had done what Selene wanted—I had intrigued him.

The rest of the conversation was light, effortless. I let him talk about himself, asked the right questions, laughed at the right moments. And the more we spoke, the more I realized something—this wasn't just about seduction. It was about power. Influence. Leverage.

When I finally stood to leave, Michael caught my wrist, his grip firm but not forceful.

"Come back tomorrow night," he said. It wasn't a question.

I pulled my hand away gently, smiling. "We'll see."

Then I walked away without looking back.

Outside, Selene was waiting, her arms crossed. "Not bad," she said.

I exhaled. "What was that?"

She smirked. "The first move in a much bigger game."

I frowned. "What does Damien want from him?"

Selene shrugged. "That's not for you to know yet. But trust me—Michael Devereaux is valuable."

I thought back to the way he had watched me, the way he had tested me.

"Valuable how?" I asked.

Selene's smirk widened. "You'll find out soon enough."

As we walked back toward the lounge, my mind raced.

I had spent so long being powerless, a pawn in other people's games.

But tonight, for the first time, I had taken control.

And it felt intoxicating.

But power was a dangerous thing.

And I wasn't sure if I was ready for what came next.