The long oak table stretched like a battlefield, each seat occupied by power wrapped in flesh and tailored suits. Cigars smoked. Wine glistened. And beneath it all, tension simmered thick, unspoken, deadly.
Adrian Costa entered the room first, black suit sharp as a blade, his presence slicing through the murmurs. The room stilled. He was a king among wolves dominant, unreadable, dangerous.
Then came Valentina.
A hush fell like a curtain.
She wore a fitted black dress, sleek, silent power. Her hair was pulled back, exposing the line of her jaw, her expression calm. She didn’t cling to Adrian. Didn’t look lost. She took the seat beside him like it was her right, like she belonged here.
Some men scoffed. Others leaned forward. A few eyes lingered too long.
Adrian didn’t speak, but the s
