Page 1 of Forbidden Empire (Sinful Gods #1)

One

A idon

As a predator caught the scent of something dangerous…

I felt the shift in my private booth, a fortress of shadows looming above Vegas' most dangerous and elite haven, the Underworld. Here, the pulse of bass music reverberated through the club, matching the primal rhythm of the crowd below.

From my elevated perch, I sipped on my whiskey and watched everything unfold like a king surveying his kingdom.

Shadows danced on the walls, embracing the dark and seductive atmosphere of the club.

Underneath the flickering lights, another world hummed with secrets traded, deals sealed, and alliances broken.

Just another night.

I leaned back in my chair, relishing the cool leather against my tailored suit. The view from up here was perfect—no one moved without my notice.

My bouncers, dressed in sleek black suits and wearing earpieces, patrolled the edges of the crowd. This was my dominion, my sanctuary, and I ruled it with absolute control.

Suddenly, the air crackled and charged with electricity—something unrelated to the club's sound system.

Heads turned, conversations faltered, and a collective pause swept through the room.

My sharp eyes scanned the crowd before landing on her.

Esme Theodorus.

She moved through the throng like a queen reclaiming her throne, clad in a form-fitting black gown that shimmered under the lights and revealed every curve.

Her raven hair cascaded over one shoulder in loose waves while her crimson lips curled into a smirk that dared anyone to challenge her presence.

Esme was chaos wrapped in beauty, a storm in human form. And someone who should be far, far away from me.

My jaw tightened as I clutched my glass tighter than necessary and rose to my feet.

This was the last place I expected to see her. Not in my city. Not in my club. And for certain, not strolling in with such confidence, as if she owned the place.

Yet here she was, commanding the room without saying a word.

Her emerald eyes met mine, and a mischievous glint lit up her face. She knew I'd be here tonight. Of course, she did. Esme never did anything without purpose.

I set down my tumbler, my fingers itching to crush it. But I held back, reining in my impulses and maintaining an impassive expression as I waited for Esme to come to me.

And she did. Slowly.

She walked past my security team, expecting them not to stop her. As expected, they didn't resist. She climbed the staircase to my lair, her heels echoing on the metal steps like a ticking clock.

She moved with the confidence of someone with nothing to lose and everything to gain. When she reached the top, Ares, my enforcer stationed at the door, looked to me for guidance.

At least he understood how to handle things.

I gave him a subtle nod.

Esme stepped into the booth, and her perfume wafted toward me—a mix of spiced vanilla and something darker. She closed the door behind her, leaning against it with casual defiance.

"Aidon," she greeted, her voice smooth as silk. "It's been a while."

"Not long enough," I replied, leaning forward with my forearms resting on my knees. My dark eyes locked onto hers without wavering. "What are you doing here, Esme?"

She let out a soft, teasing chuckle.

"Straight to business? No, 'how have you been?' No, 'you look stunning tonight'?" She sauntered closer with a sway in her hips until she stood just out of arm's reach. "I'm hurt."

"You'll survive," I said with a clipped tone. "Now answer the question."

Her smirk faltered for a fraction of a moment. "I'm here to talk."

"Talk fast." I leaned my shoulder against a wall, my gaze narrowing as I studied her from head to toe with wary eyes.

The air between us crackled, tense and dangerous.

Esme raised a brow, her lips curving again in an alluring yet deceptive smile. "You've changed, Aidon."

She stepped closer, her voice dipping lower as she continued to play her games. Her words were laced with a teasing lilt, tempting me to let down my guard.

"The old you would have at least offered me a seat. Perhaps, poured me a drink. Or should I get you one? But you won't take it from my fingers. You're too scared I'd poison it."

I snorted, passing a cursory glance at the club behind her. "And risk wasting good whiskey? That's not your style, Esme."

"Oh, so you do remember my style." She leaned in just enough to tease but kept her distance, trying to manipulate me with her proximity. "Careful, Aidon. You're starting to sound like you missed me."

"Don't flatter yourself," I said through gritted teeth, unable to hide the bitterness in my tone. "Whatever game you're playing, get to the point."

She'd destroyed me once. It wouldn't happen again.

"I thought I was getting to the point." Her voice was soft now, almost pleading. But I knew better than to trust anything that came out of her mouth.

"Not fast enough." My tone was sharp as a blade. "Let me guess. Is this about big brother Zeno?"

Her half-brother, Zenobius “Zeno” Theodorus, believed he controlled the Vegas syndicate world and used his influence to wreck everything in his way. Once, I considered him an ally, even a friend. Still, his underhanded dealings turned us into bitter rivals.

However, we couldn't outright eliminate each other. We were part of a sub-economy linked to every aspect of Las Vegas's legitimate economy. If one of us falls, all of us fall.

"Zeno is planning something big," she said, her emerald gaze meeting mine. "And he's coming for you."

"He's always coming for me," I replied, my voice dry and devoid of any emotion. "That's not news."

Her hand brushed the edge of my tie, straightening it in a gesture that felt too personal, something I would have accepted long ago. But now, it reminded me of how effortless it was for her to manipulate me.

The faintest pressure of her fingers sent a ripple through me, and my body betrayed the discipline I had fought so hard to maintain. Anger flared hot like lightning, but just as fast, something darker and more consuming smothered it, the need to make her feel the same way.

I hated her ability to slip past my defenses with a simple touch.

I remained still, allowing her to linger. My pulse drummed in my ears as I tried to regain control over my physical reaction to her presence.

"This time, he'll win unless we work together. I have a lot of information you need, Aidon," she said, her tone soft yet cutting like a blade wrapped in silk.

I caught her wrist, feeling her pulse beat faster than the calm facade she presented. "And what's in it for you?"

"Survival. Isn't that what we're all after?" Her words were laced with dark humor and held a hint of something sinister hiding beneath the surface.

"And how do I know you're not just setting me up?" My grip on her tightened just enough to remind her who held the upper hand.

Esme tilted her head, her lips a hairsbreadth from my cheek. "If I wanted to betray you, Aidon, you'd already be dead."

Why was she here? Was this another of her endless games, testing how far she could push me before I snapped?

I studied her face, looking for cracks in her confidence or signs of deception. But Esme was an enigma, wearing a perfect mask of defiance and allure. The faint scent of her perfume, that maddening blend, clouded my mind and made it hard to think clear.

My warning came out as a low growl, my voice filled with frustration and concern. "You're too damn confident for your own good," I stated. "One day, it'll get you killed."

But she smirked, a glint of amusement dancing in her emerald eyes. The way the light hit them made them seem almost ethereal, like pools of shimmering jewels.

"Then I guess it's a good thing you're here to protect me, Aidon," she replied, her voice dripping with mischief.

The challenge in her tone sparked something in me, igniting a fire I couldn't ignore.

Logic told me to focus on the danger Zeno posed, but all I could think about was her.

The way she cocked her head just right, daring me to act and react.

The way she moaned in my arms. The way it felt to fuck her unconscious.

But I couldn't fall into her web and give her the satisfaction.

"You have one chance," I warned, my voice low and lethal. "But if you cross me, Esme, you won't walk away this time."

I meant for my words to chill her, but instead, they seemed to fuel the tension between us. Her green eyes locked onto mine, daring me to push back.

We stood there staring, neither willing to back down.

In the end, I released her and took a step back, needing some space between us.

Her smirk returned victorious and infuriating. "Fair enough," she conceded.

"Meet me in my penthouse. You know the way."

She turned to leave, the fabric of her gown swaying with each step. But before she disappeared, she threw one last glance over her shoulder at me. "You'll thank me later," she called out.

I exhaled, my fingers curling into tight fists at my sides.

Circling Esme's orbit was always a risky move.

It was similar to playing with fire.

You were always close to getting burned, yet the temptation kept drawing you back.

One thing was certain: Esme Theodorus was going to make things very interesting.