A Deal with the Devil

Luca DeLuca never begged.

Not for money.

Not for power.

And certainly not for his life.

So when he walked into Damien Raines' private club, he wasn't there to plead.

He was there to declare war.

—

The air inside Nocturne was thick with cigar smoke and money. The kind of place where billionaires sealed their worst deals over aged whiskey and whispered threats.

Luca walked through the crowd like he owned the place.

Because soon—he would.

At the back of the club, Damien Raines sat at a curved booth, two armed men flanking him. He looked up as Luca approached, his expression one of amusement.

"Well, well," Raines drawled, swirling his drink. "The man himself. I was wondering how long it would take for you to come knocking."

Luca slid into the seat across from him, unbothered by the guns pointed his way. He reached for the whiskey bottle on the table, pouring himself a drink like he belonged there.

Raines smirked. "Bold."

Luca took a slow sip. "Just efficient."

Raines chuckled, leaning forward. "I have to say, sending Evelyn after you was a bit of a test. I wanted to see if you were worth my time."

Luca's smirk didn't waver. "And?"

Raines' eyes glinted. "You passed."

—

Sofia and Henry were outside, watching from a surveillance van.

"Should've just put a bullet in him the second we walked in," Sofia muttered, fingers drumming against her thigh.

Henry didn't take his eyes off the screen. "Luca's playing a bigger game."

Sofia scowled. "Yeah? Let's hope he wins."

—

Back inside, Raines leaned back in his seat. "You want to know why I sent Evelyn?"

Luca exhaled, unfazed. "Because you're scared."

Raines barked out a laugh. "Scared? Of you?"

Luca set his glass down, leaning forward slightly. "I took one of your shipments. I cost you millions. And instead of sending an army, you sent one assassin."

He tilted his head.

"You weren't trying to kill me. You were trying to recruit me."

The amusement in Raines' expression didn't fade. But his silence?

That was confirmation.

—

Luca smirked. "I'll save you the trouble, Raines. I don't work for anyone."

Raines took a slow sip of his drink. "Shame. You could've been valuable."

Luca's voice dropped. "I still am. Just not in the way you want."

A pause.

Then—

Raines smirked. "You're planning something."

Luca leaned back, matching the expression. "Guess you'll have to wait and see."

A challenge.

A promise.

Raines chuckled. "You've got nerve, DeLuca." He finished his drink, setting the glass down with a soft clink. "Fine. I won't kill you."

A beat.

"Yet."

Luca's smirk remained. "Much appreciated."

He stood, adjusting his cuffs. "Enjoy your night, Raines."

And with that, he walked away.

Calm. Collected.

Unshaken.

But as he left the club, one thought lingered.

This wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.

—

Next Chapter: The Fire Begins – Raines makes his next move, and Luca realizes that the war has already started.