urs ea

nthouse, located in the most expensive

heavily on his silver-headed cane, looking down at the glittering cit

eld a crystal tumbler filled with bourbon and ice. His face wa

slammed his cane against

" Theodore warned, his voice echoing in the ca

The alcohol burned a fiery path down his throat, but it did nothing to mel

y glass down wi

arcasm. "What exactly is tying a country bumpkin to a dying man goi

lked closer, his voice dropping to a heavy rumble. "The high monk swore

science. I believe in The Surgeon. I don't believe

ur parents disappeared without a trace. The branch families are circling like

arents, the temperature

he empty crystal tumbler so violently that the thick glass groaned un

"it shows weakness. It shows you are truly dying.

He needed the board's backing to maintain his intellig

evoid of all warmth. "I won't em

you must attend the MC Auction tonight. Show your face

ed the cuffs of his immacu

said coldly. "The finale ite

the penthouse, his long st

ate elevator. The doors slid open, and

hronized growl. Alaric slid into the back seat of the center vehicle. The doors locked

ent

and Jasper rolled down a hidden, subterra

d guards in tactical gear stepped forward, their assault rifles res

held out the black-and-gold VIP card between her index and middle fing

d at the readout. His eyes widened. He immedia

s!" the guard shouted, bo

the exclusive VIP parking sector. He quickly killed the

r perfectly, making her look tall, broa

nce, taking a private, velvet-lined

he walked straight to the one-way glass window

aires, and underworld bosses mingled, the air thick

owd near the main entrance. The chaotic chatter

odyguards, Alaric Montgom

spite his visible physical frailty, his eyes were razor-sharp, and his aura was suffocating. He moved with the terrifying, unyielding grace of a king stepping ont

rfectly still. Her eyes locked onto the tall, imposin

dex finger agains

murmured, her disguised voice a l