Elise stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of Silas's penthouse, the city glittering below like a pool of diamonds. Her reflection stared back at her, sharper now — dangerous, determined. Every victory tasted sweet, but she knew better than to celebrate too soon.
"There's someone here to see you," Silas said as he entered the room, brows furrowed. "Says it's urgent."
Elise turned. "Who?"
He handed her a card. Black. Embossed. Elegant.
The name on it nearly stopped her heart.
Lorenzo Virelli.The snake in a three-piece suit.The heir to the empire that had once tried to buy her twice — the same man who used to watch her like a predator eyeing prey.
"What does he want?" she muttered, the edges of her voice rough with old resentment.
Silas crossed his arms. "He says he's not your enemy anymore."
Elise let out a short, bitter laugh. "Convenient."
Still, curiosity cracked through her defenses.
"Fine," she said, slipping the card into her clutch. "Let's see what the devil's wearing today."
—
The hotel suite was too quiet, too pristine. Lorenzo sat on a velvet chair like he owned the place — and maybe he did. His eyes lit up as Elise entered, slow and powerful.
"Elise," he purred, standing. "You're more dangerous than they warned."
She sat across from him, legs crossed, gaze dagger-sharp. "Get to the point, Virelli."
He smirked. "I'm here to offer a deal. Your enemies are my competitors. You want them ruined. I want them erased."
She tilted her head. "And what do you get out of it?"
"Leverage," he said with a shrug. "And the pleasure of watching them burn with you holding the torch."
She studied him, silent. Calculating. Trusting Lorenzo was like cuddling a cobra. But... there was something different now. A wariness in his charm. A hint of respect in his posture.
He wasn't underestimating her anymore. He was acknowledging her.
Elise leaned forward, elbows on the table.
"One condition," she said.
"Name it."
"You don't touch anyone I care about. And if you so much as breathe in my direction the wrong way, I'll bury you next to them."
Lorenzo smiled like a man who enjoyed the threat. "Deal."
As Elise walked out of the suite, Silas was waiting in the hallway, arms folded.
"Are we trusting him now?" he asked.
"No," Elise said. "We're using him. Then we crush him if he steps out of line."
Silas smiled. "There's my girl."
And just like that, the next piece of the game was set.