2 weeks ago
The scent of expensive cigars and aged whiskey lingered in the dimly lit VIP lounge of The Black Lotus, a private club only the most powerful men in the city had access to. The air was thick with quiet authority—no loud music, no mindless chatter—just business, money, and power being exchanged between the elite.
Killian sat in one of the leather armchairs, his posture relaxed but commanding, exhaling a slow trail of smoke from his cigar. He was dressed in all black, the top two buttons of his shirt undone, exposing a hint of the tattoos that ran down his neck. Across from him, Valentino mirrored his stance, a glass of bourbon resting lazily in his grip as he studied Killian with sharp amusement.
They had been talking business for the past hour—shipping routes, new deals, and men who needed to be reminded of their place. It was a familiar conversation, one they had engaged in many times before. But tonight, Valentino wasn’t just here for business.