Cole left the bar feeling lighter than he had in weeks. The night had been exactly what he needed... A good company, good drinks, and no talk of business, budgets, or schedules. He pulled his keys from his pocket and walked out to where his car was parked: a sleek, deep blue Aston Martin that he had kept well-maintained for years. It was fast, comfortable, and just the kind of ride he liked.
It was already late, and the streets were quiet. Only a few streetlights glowed along the road, casting long shadows on the pavement. There was almost no traffic at this hour, which made the drive home smooth and easy. Cole settled into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and felt the familiar hum of power beneath him. He turned on the radio low, just enough to have some sound, and pulled out onto
