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The three men separate, making room, as if they were the opening show and the main event has arrived.

Julian Bellini steps into my sight.

He looms over all three men, his presence heavier than the others combined.

While they’re the boogeymen, he’s the devil in the night.

The monster who controls them.

He wasn’t trained to scare you.

He was trained to see you as prey.

To eat you alive.

To drag you into his hell.

Yet, with all that darkness, I’ve never seen a more beautiful man.

Julian towers over the other men, like a skyscraper taking over a village. His short black hair is brushed to the right, shaved shorter on the sides, with a slight part. Tattoos extend over nearly every inch of his exposed skin. His calculated cerulean-blue eyes stare me down.

Eyes that I’ve felt on me for years.

Eyes that I’vewantedon me for years.

His face, lined with hatred yet sculpted like a god’s, hardens when our eyes meet.

The music changes to a loud, thumping Beethoven.

Julian draws closer, his eyes anchored to mine, ready to crack open my soul.

He smirks widely. “Hello, Genesis. Looks like I arrived at the party just in time.”

2

I paida pretty penny for Genesis.

Nah, I paid a pretty five hundred thousand dollars for her.

She’d better prove her worth.

Given my line of work, I’m not a man who makes lousy bets or poor financial decisions. I benefit from every investment, no matter fucking what.

Legit deals, illegal ventures with criminals—I’m always the winner.

The three Russians scowl as I walk past them, deeper into Carlisle’s office.

Dima closes his hand around his AK-47’s handle.

I smirk at him.

I fucking dare you.

“Read this.” I smack a contract against Dima’s chest. “I’m sure you know your father’s signature.”

Dima lowers the gun to stop the contract from falling to the floor.

Outbidding and outsmarting men is my favorite pastime.