The city was alive.
Not with hope…
But with sin.
Neon lights flickered over wet streets, painting everything in red and gold. Music echoed from underground clubs, mixing with laughter, deals, and quiet threats.
This was a city where power didn't ask.
It took.
And at the center of it all—
Adrian Voss.
He sat in the darkest corner of the club, untouched by the chaos around him. A glass of whiskey rested in his hand, the ice long melted.
He hadn't taken a single sip.
He didn't drink to forget.
He drank to watch.
People moved around him carefully. Even the loudest men lowered their voices when they passed his table.
Fear didn't need to be announced.
It was felt.
A man approached, nervous, his steps uneven.
"Sir…"
Adrian didn't look at him.
"Speak."
"They… took her."
Silence.
The music seemed to fade.
The world slowed.
Adrian finally lifted his gaze.
Cold.
Sharp.
Deadly.
"Who?"
"Elena Marquez."
For a moment—
Nothing.
Then…
A slow smile formed on his lips.
Not warm.
Not kind.
Dangerous.
"Good," he said.
The man froze. "Good…?"
Adrian leaned back, his fingers tapping lightly against the glass.
"You think this is a kidnapping?" he asked calmly.
The man swallowed. "Isn't it?"
Adrian let out a quiet chuckle.
"No."
He set the glass down.
"This… is a message."
Before the man could respond—
A gunshot exploded inside the club.
Screams followed.
Chaos erupted.
Men in black stormed the entrance, weapons raised.
Ambush.
The guards reacted too late.
Bullets tore through the air.
People dropped.
Blood spread across the floor.
But Adrian—
Didn't move.
Didn't panic.
He stood slowly, adjusting his sleeve like this was nothing more than an inconvenience.
One of the attackers rushed toward him.
Big mistake.
Adrian moved faster.
He grabbed the man's wrist, twisted it sharply—
A crack echoed.
The gun fell.
In the same motion, Adrian pulled a knife from his jacket—
And drove it straight into the man's throat.
Clean.
Precise.
No hesitation.
The body collapsed at his feet.
Another attacker aimed at him—
Too slow.
A gun appeared in Adrian's hand.
One shot.
Right between the eyes.
The man dropped instantly.
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Terrifying.
The remaining attackers hesitated.
That hesitation cost them everything.
More of Adrian's men entered—
Finishing what was left.
Within seconds…
It was over.
The club was a graveyard.
Adrian looked around calmly, stepping over bodies like they didn't exist.
Then he turned to his man.
"Find out who's behind this."
His voice was quiet.
But absolute.
"And the girl?" the man asked carefully.
Adrian paused.
For just a second.
Then his eyes darkened.
"Bring her to me."
A beat.
"And if she resists?"
A faint smile returned.
Cold.
Merciless.
"Then she's worth keeping."