Chapter 2

• Dane lingered by the window, his gaze lost in the cityscape below like a silent predator watching his territory.
• His eyes held an icy detachment when he finally turned away from the view, making his way toward the exit of his corporate fortress.
• His guards stood alert before the door, their bodies tense at his approach. Even after years of service and familiarity, they could never shake off the intimidating aura that clung to Dane like a second skin.
• "Report!" he commanded, cold and harsh as winter frost.
• He didn't need to ask; it was just routine.
• "We've got him, sir," came the steady reply from Chris, his right-hand man.
• Dane acknowledged with a quick nod before sweeping past them without another word.
• His face was unreadable as he stepped into the elevator with an air of impending doom hanging heavily around him.
• The doors closed behind him and he went down into the depths of his empire accompanied by a select few of his loyal soldiers.
• Outside, Chris quickly opened the rear door of their vehicle for Dane to enter while taking up residence in the front passenger seat beside their driver.
• For several minutes during their drive through the city's underbelly, there was nothing but silence…a silence so deep that it felt like a living thing.
• "What's with the task I gave you?" Dane suddenly broke through this silence.
• "We followed her like you told us," Chris replied promptly.
• Dane sank deeper into the plush leather seat as if trying to physically distance himself from reality, or perhaps from Chris' words.
• His eyes were on fire with fury; each flicker seemed to be wrestling with some unseen ghost of freedom.
• An eerie smirk suddenly danced at the corner of his lips. It was sinister yet strangely compelling.
• His fist clenched tightly until it went pale in the surrounding darkness.
• His breathing became ragged and uneven as tension coiled within him like a spring ready to snap.
• His hatred was tangible, radiating off him in waves that were impossible to ignore. He was on the brink of achieving his goal… he just needed a bit more time.
• Their destination was an abandoned warehouse, one of many scattered across the globe that served as a front for Dane's shady operations.
• From the outside, the warehouse looked run-down and forgotten, which was perfect cover. But inside, it was furnished with state-of-the-art technology and top-tier brands from around the world.
• Security was tight. Men lurked in every shadowy corner, their eyes constantly scanning for threats. Even birds didn't dare fly overhead for fear of being shot down by snipers perched on rooftops. It was as if nature herself had been forbidden from coming too close to these unholy grounds.
• As soon as the sleek black sedan came to a halt, Chris sprang into action.
• His heart pounded in his chest like a wild drum as he fumbled with the door handle, his nerves dancing in anticipation of Dane's intimidating presence.
• The moment Dane stepped out of the car, it was as if a dormant volcano had erupted. His aura transformed from a flickering flame into an all-consuming inferno.
• They moved towards the warehouse, their footsteps echoing ominously against the cold concrete with ten loyal henchmen trailing behind them.
• When they reached their destination, Dane eased himself onto a plush black leather chair. His polished shoes rested on the table before him as if claiming ownership.
• From his peripheral vision, he noticed a pitiful figure kneeling in absolute terror and humiliation.
• A smirk tugged at Dane's lips as he savored this display of power and fear.
• "Please sir," John's voice wavered with desperation. "Don't kill me... I have—"
• "Silence!" Dane's interruption sliced through the air like a blade.
• He reclined further into his chair and rested his head comfortably against its cushioned backrest while closing his eyes leisurely.
• "You've got families who need your financial support? Isn't that right, John?" His voice was smooth but carried an undercurrent of lethal threat.
• John nodded frantically as though hoping Dane could sense it despite having his eyes shut.
• Dane hummed casually before straightening up and removing his feet from the table.
• His sudden eye-opening sent chills down John's spine. They were piercing and held terrifying sparks that made John feel as though he was staring death in the face.
• Dane rose smoothly from his chair and closed in on John with predatory grace. "When you betrayed my trust and abandoned your tasks," he began icily, "You signed your own death warrant. I'm just the executor."
• "Pl…"
• John's pleas were cut short as bullets found their home in his heart.
• He collapsed on the cold floor, life seeping out of him until his gaze became hollow.
• Dane slid his weapon back into its holster with practiced ease and turned to leave. His composure remained unshaken despite the blood on his hands. This was a chilling display of his ruthlessness.
• His men knew better than to follow this time.
• His departure was swift and silent. He disappeared into the night in one of his ridiculously expensive sports cars.
• When he arrived at his dimly lit apartment - just how he preferred it - he shed his black shirt and tossed it carelessly on the sofa.
• Then he poured himself a glass of fine whiskey and walked towards the balcony, enjoying its smoky burn.
• As he sipped from his glass, he took in the sprawling cityscape laid bare under the moonlight.
• The cool breeze played with his hair and caressed his bare chest, adding an ethereal touch to his devilishly handsome features.
• The shrill ring of the doorbell echoed through the apartment barely a minute later.
• A wicked grin spread across his face as he glanced at his watch - midnight had struck right on cue.
• He strode back inside, pouring another glass of whiskey before making his way toward the door to greet whoever dared to visit at this hour.
• "Good evening, sir!" Joey greeted with a bright smile, watching him retreat to the sanctuary of his balcony, the spot where he'd previously been stationed after letting his guest in while clutching a glass of whiskey as though it were a lifeline.
• Joey was treated with such indifference that he didn't even bother to cast her a fleeting glance.
• The echo of her stilettos against the cold marble floor filled the air as she positioned herself behind the heartless demon who promised an experience unlike any she'd ever know.
• "Go make yourself ready!"
• Joey swallowed hard before flashing him an uncertain smile. "Yes, sir!" She spun on her heel and hurried back inside with fake confidence.
• The hallway seemed to stretch on forever, intimidating in its unfamiliarity. It was her first time in this place and she felt like an intruder in this world of luxury.
• She wanted to ask which bathroom to use but fear held her tongue captive. She didn't want to irritate him further. So she chose a door at random only to find it locked from within.
• After several failed attempts and growing anxiety gnawing at her insides, Joey finally found an unlocked door.
• As she pushed it open, her breath caught at the sight that greeted her. The walls were pristine white canvas for black illustrations and bold lines that seemed to tell untold stories.
• The room's furnishings were mostly dark red - so deep it spoke volumes about the secret activities that occurred within these walls.
• While Joey marveled at the luxury surrounding her, Dane drained his glass of whiskey with one fluid gulp and walked into his living room.
• He glanced at his watch - it was half past midnight already - before making his way back towards the bar for another drink.
• His fingers curled around his glass as he made his way toward the bedroom.