𝐕𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄

𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄

The night had settled deep, wrapping the city in a blanket of quiet that only the most dangerous of men dared disturb. In my office, the dim light from a single lamp cast long shadows, stretching across the room where I sat, surrounded by powerful men who each carried their own brand of menace.

Alexander Romanov, the eldest of three sons born to an oligarch, lounged in the chair across from me, his piercing eyes studying me with curiosity. Beside him, the Castillo twins, Orion and Davide, sat with their usual ease, their expressions as inscrutable as ever. They were sons of the country's largest mine owner, their influence as deep as the earth their father owned.

I leaned back in my chair, the weight of the night pressing down on my shoulders, when the door creaked open and Kane stepped in. "Damian has escorted Claire to her room," he announced, his voice low but clear, breaking the silence that had settled over us.

I nodded in acknowledgment, my gaze shifting from the darkened window I had been staring out of. The city lights flickered in the distance, but they did nothing to penetrate the darkness that lay just beyond. I could feel Alexander gaping at me.

"What are you planning to do with her?" He asked. His eyes never left mine, challenging me as if to discern my thoughts before I could speak them.

"I haven't decided yet," I replied, my voice steady as I turned my attention back to the window, the void of the night offering no answers.

There was something about Claire Saint that I hadn't quite figured out.

Davide leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Her documents say she worked in a casino," he mused, his voice carrying a lightness that contrasted with the gravity of the situation. "Maybe you could put her to use in one of yours."

Orion, always one to find potential where others might not, added, "She could prove useful."

But Alexander shook his head, dismissing the idea outright. "That would be a mistake," he countered. "She could slip through the cracks and break free too easily."

Kane shot him a sharp look. "So, what's your alternative?"

Alexander met Kane's gaze but remained silent, unable to offer an alternative. The tension in the room thickened as his unspoken answer hung in the air.

"Gentlemen." I called, drawing their attention. The room fell silent as they turned toward me. "We can't have Claire working at the casino—not now. It would be a hasty decision."

Kane nodded in agreement. "She's still very frightened. With her current state, she's likely to bolt at the slightest hint of an escape."

"You're right," I acknowledged, taking in their responses.

"So, how do we make this work?" Orion asked, grappling with the decision.

I poured myself a glass of whiskey, taking a moment to savour the rich aroma before turning to face them all. "We let her in."

"Let her in?" Alexander repeated, shock evident in his voice, while Davide's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Kane shook his head, a look of confusion on his face as he clarified, "Are you suggesting we make her a part of the gang?"

I fixed them all with an intense stare, my patience wearing thin. "Did I stutter?"

The room grew still as they all sank back into their chairs, the gravity of the decision settling over them.

"We'll start by gradually bringing her into the fold." I continued. "We'll assess whether she can be trusted. Once we're certain, we'll have her work at the casino under our surveillance." I scanned the room, my gaze hard and uncompromising. "Are there any objections?" I asked, my tone leaving no room for dissent.

My eyes zeroed in on Alexander.

His reluctance evident, but unspoken. "No, sir," he replied, his voice subdued.