Dual Eclipse

14

Sasha reached the casino in the nick of time. The botones open the doors, and I turn my back to him as another associate walks before me. I’m alert. Every hair on my body stands, and I feel my gun strapped to my waist and my knife pressing against my ankle.

[Bellboy]

Smoke fills the room. Men played their games with their vile of coke ready for their long noses. Some looked for the games, but their hands were discreet in exchanges. Others were looking for a fuck, and some were just for the games and fun of it.

They lead me right, my shoes sinking into the soft carpets. The lights leave an effect of a dark room, and women are getting fucked, their breasts out and their mouths wide open. Three knocks on a door, and the door opens.

The men leave me, and another welcomes me into Sebastian Julio’s meeting room. Cigar smoke so powerfully hits my lungs, and my mouth water, but my mind reminds me how greed can get you killed.

My eyes land on the Don. He sits with his legs wide open, a mean frown on his face and a cigar between his thin lips. There’s a long, thick scar across his temple to his throat, and if he moves his hair to the right, you’ll spot a missing ear.

Those were the products of a man who survived the darkness of our world and raised an empire out of nothing. Sebastian was doing good for himself, especially in the dark. People know of the man and what he does but don’t see or hear from him—they only feel. I stop before him, and he doesn’t stop watching me.

Sebastian was about Adrik’s age. They don’t involve each other in their business, and it’s just two bosses ruling their empire. That was something I didn’t want. My life in the shadows is just how I prefer things. “Alexandr Voinov,”

I knelt to my knees as he outstretched his hand for my taking. His gold signet ring shines bright even in the dim light, and I take his hand and kiss his inheritance. It didn’t escape me how he said my name like any other would.

Don Julio knew everyone and everything. He could tell you how many dogs walked the streets and who would die next, as crazy as it sounds. Mud on the roads never escaped him. People feared this man.

As I knelt before him, he could easily have my life, and nine men to one would only make the whole ordeal look ridiculous. I wasn’t an imbecile.

“Levántarte, Sasha.”

[Get up]

“It’s an honour to dine with you, Don Julio.”

“The last time I invited you, I threatened to cut your tongue for the formalities.” My stomach churned, that bastard. He accepts the invite to an ashtray and flicks the grey ash off his cigar over it.

“My sincere apologies, Sebastian. I’ve been well over busy with,” I pause for effect. “Work.” He snaps his fingers to have a chair brought to me.