The New Cook

Killian sat behind his massive mahogany desk, fingers drumming lazily against the surface. His office, a dimly lit space in his penthouse, was lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city. The skyline twinkled, but his mind was far from the beauty of it. Business came first. It always did.

Caden stood across from him, arms crossed, his expression serious. He was Killian’s beta, his right-hand man, the one person he trusted without question.

“The shipment arrives in two days,” Caden said, his deep voice cutting through the silence. “Everything’s been secured, but we had some trouble with the dock officials.”

Killian exhaled slowly, his irritation barely contained. “Bribery didn’t work?”

“Oh, it worked,” Caden said, a smirk playing at his lips. “But one of them got greedy. Thought he could squeeze more out of us.”

Killian’s gaze darkened. “Make an example out of him. Quietly.”

Caden gave a curt nod. “Already handled.”