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We stand in an empty space that sits under a posh Queen’s Park convenience store a few blocks away from The Serpentine. It was once a record store and bar, but it closed down a year ago according to the owner.

The space smells of dust and disuse. Exposed brick walls and dim golden light give the basement an oddly cozy feel, despiteits emptiness. The floors are a splintered and termite mauled hardwood that will definitely require some TLC.

I look at both Alex and Halle who has joined us after I had a driver pick her up. They stare at me blankly. “Why are we standing in a dusty basement?” Halle asks me.

I smile. “It’s yours.”

Alex frowns. “What do you mean‘it’s yours’?”

I shrug. “Exactly that,” I tell him. “Remember when I asked you what you’d do if it wasn’t for the OCU?”

He nods. “Yeah…?” and then he trails, realisation dawning on him. “No way,” he breathes, understanding dawning over his eyes. “Rowan, please tell me you didn’t—”

“What’s going on?” Halle asks, looking between us.

Alex turns to her. “Rowan bought this,” he says simply. “For us.”

“What?” she asks, looking between us before turning to Alex fully. “Alex, what the hell is he talking about?”

“I might have told him about our deal to open a bar one day?” He phrases it like a question.

Halle’s eyes go impossibly wide. “You told him about Serene Tiger?”

Alex winces and nods.

“No way,” she deadpans, turning to me. When she realises I’m not joking, those eyes widen again. I’m terrified they might pop out. “Wait, so, this place, it’s ours?”

“As of yesterday, yes. Serene Tiger is a go,” I say. “If you want it, of course.”

“Of course we do!” she shouts. “Oh my God. This is amazing! Thank you. I can’t begin to…” she continues rambling, but I can only focus on Alex.

He’s looking at me carefully, a shy smile dancing on his lips. Under the golden lights of the old record store, his eyes glint andI’m caught by him all over again. I’d give him the world if he even hinted at wanting it. I’d give him anything.

“You didn’t have to do this,” he says softly.

I step closer, brushing my fingers against his. “I wanted to,” I say simply. “I want you to have something that’s yours. I want you to have everything you want.”

For a moment, the world shrinks to just the two of us, the weight of everything else fading away. In the distance I can still hear Halle speaking but all I can see is the conflict in Alex’s eyes. I can tell he wants to tell me this is too much, but when he looks at Halle who is exploring the space with that awestruck expression, he swallows whatever he had to say down.

He turns back to me. “Thank you.” It’s two simple words, but I can read everything else he wants to say between them.

“We need to have a copper sink in here!” Halle shouts.

Alex laughs, shaking his head. “Those are impractical.”

“Fuck practicality, Alex,” she all but screams. “Serene Tiger is real!”

He nods, still smiling. “Serene Tiger is real,” he repeats, his eyes covering the entire space in a slow sweep. As he says those words, I can tell he fully believes them, and I couldn’t be happier.

Chapter Thirty-Two: Alex

It feels like I’ve stepped into an ancient pantheon, a temple pulled straight out of a storybook from childhood. Nestled in the hills of Queen’s Peak, hidden from the city’s chaos by towering pine trees and a heavy black gate, stands the grand lime-and-stone building. Golden lights line the path leading to the structure, which rises wide and tall with ivory-white columns. A grand staircase stretches upward to massive cherrywood double doors with iron knockers shaped like serpents.

“Okay, this is crazy!” Halle squeals next to me, eyes filled with excitement as they dart to the rows of expensive cars parked nearby and the glittering jewellery adorning the guests.

I follow her gaze. Men and women dressed in immaculate tuxedos and flowing gowns mill around the entrance. They’re the who’s who of Senna’s elite—members of The Snake, The Judiciary, bankers, and police chiefs. Familiar faces pepper the crowd, and I keep my eyes down, wary of catching someone’s attention.

“It is pretty crazy,” I admit, though there’s a lightness in my voice that surprises me.