CRIMSONS BOND

club. A deep, rhythmic bass rumbled from the speakers, reverberating through the bones of everyone inside. It was as though the club

ologne mingling with the heady mix of sweat and alcohol that saturated the air. It was a place for sinners, and Alex wasn't sure if they fit in or

re were few people in Havenmoor who didn't know the rules

let and gold lighting. Bodies swayed and grinded to the beat, lost in their own pleasure, while others stood by the bar, murmuring to one another in low,

e Eclipse stand out from every o

gin to comprehend. He didn't just run a club. He controlled it all

s whispers. But nothing prepared them for t

First

But tonight, something felt different. Tonight, there was a weight in the air, a heaviness that pressed down on their chest. They could feel

n, they

sphere shifted. The crowd seemed to collectively draw in a breath, like the air had been sucked out of

k, tailored to perfection-was cut sharply at the shoulders, and it hugged his physique like it was meant for him alone.

ike a king surveying his kingdom, cold, calculated, and untouchable. He was every inch the man

no curiosity. Only a silent, calculated appraisal. It was as if he saw straight t

d then, with a subtle, almost imperceptible movement,

e Enc

they spoke to, they couldn't shake the feeling that Damian was watching them. That smile, the way

d Alex's senses. They leaned against the bar, pretending to sip at a drink they had

ch later that the

en a voice, deep and commanding

e stil

standing a few feet away, as i

Alex said, their voice steady but t

ng its prey. He took a slow step forward, closing the distanc

yours around here," he said,

"You don't seem like the

t was as cold as it was predatory. "I care about

n it was right in front of them. Damian Voss was the kind of man who made people disappear for less than thi

lex muttered, their throat dr

ripping Alex's wrist in a

e dripping with an unspoken promise.

The

velvet curtains were drawn shut, and the dim lighting made the space feel intimate in a way A

Alex asked, their voice st

e one who wants something from you. It's you who seems to h

pinning with the sudden shift. What did Dam

y out of the way," Alex

st, his touch firm, unyielding. "You're not staying out

more tension, character interactions, and plot d

a warning without words. Alex felt a rush of heat spread through their body, and despite themselves, they leaned slightly into the

he moment. The way he spoke made Alex's heart beat faster, and they knew they had to be careful. No

brewing. Fear. Desire. Curiosity. All of it was tangled together, leaving them unsettled. Damian wasn't like anyone they

his eyes, as if he found Alex's defiance interesting, even charming. Then, without warning, he release

ge to survive in this city." He took a sip from his drink, h

m, like a stone sinking into the pit of their stomach. In this world, survival was never a guarantee. It was something you fought for, something you sa

u?" Alex asked, the words sharper now, trying

"Oh, I think you need something from me, Alex. Or you wouldn't have come here." His voice d

he O

d for a moment, it felt as though the entire club, the entire world, had faded into the backgr

g in their chest, and their mind was working overtime to figure out what was happening here. What did Damian want? And why w

and something darker. "Deals aren't the point," he said. "I offer

it settle on their shoulders, suffocating. Power in Havenmoor wasn't just something you

ickly, trying to push the unsettling f

o walks through my doors is here for a reason. You think you can just walk away when it gets too complicated?" He ch

t in a game they hadn't fully understood until now. Damian wasn't just talking about the club. He was talking about something much larger-abou

gerous P

ing the situation together in their mind. "But you'r

s never left theirs. "It's not a game, Alex. It's an opportun

ian's presence made it nearly impossible to think straight. "You don't know anything about me," they shot back,

t with them. He was so close, the heat from his body radiating toward them. "I've been watching y

"I'm not a part of your world," they said firmly, though even

nto a slow, almost predatory smile. "And I don't let peop

dangerous allure. He was everything they had been warned about-everything they should stay away from. But the pull of him, the way he looked at them

an't keep," Alex said, the

e promises, Alex. I make arrangements

Reali

an's world. The club had emptied out, the lights dimming as the last few patrons made their w

ing for them to make a move. The time for

ce almost a whisper now, as though the weight of

a moment they would never be able to undo. They didn't have a choice anymore

e their way toward him. The distance between them felt electric,

r breath catching in their thr

of possibilities. "Now? Now you begin to un

Unsee

ng intensity that made it impossible for Alex to look away. The weight of the situation pressed down on them harder now, the realization creeping in that they had cr

ce they were sharing. Every part of them screamed to leave, to escape before it was too late, but something rooted them to the spot. It wasn't just Dami

e until Alex felt as though they were drowning in it. He was close enough now that Alex could feel the heat radiating

be more than just a bystander in this world. You could have everything you've ever wanted-respect,

chance to control, to be more than what they were-was intoxicati

en't entirely sure they believed themselves. They had spent so long trying to remain invisible, t

But every person who walks through those doors has a hidden n

't leave them for a second. The space between them seemed to shrink, the air charged with

ar. They had never been one for games-especially not the ones Damian seemed to be playing. But

said softly, his voice almost a p

e Inv

ke. Alex could feel their heart pounding in their chest, each beat echoing in their ears. The silence was suffocating. And yet, de

I don't trust," Alex said, tryin

more. "Trust is a luxury, Alex. In this city, in this worl

ow, their pulse quic

d to shimmer in the dim light. Voss Enterprises. The name on the card alone sent a shiver down Alex's spine. They had heard of Dami

ur. "No more hiding in the shadows. No more running from

never imagined themselves in a world like this-the world of wealth, danger, and endless possibilities. Bu

ty that gnawed at them. "There are a thousand people who

he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've watched you, Alex. You're not like the others. Y

hey had spent their whole life avoiding conflict, keeping their head down, trying not to

taking a step back, trying to f

onto theirs. "No, you're not. But

he C

ere was so much riding on this choice-on whether or not to accept Damian's offer.

en part, that was tired of hiding. Tired o

rt enough to know this is your chance, Alex. You can walk away, but you'll n

compassing, and Alex couldn't escape the pull of it. Every part of them screamed to walk away, but every other

yes?" Alex whispered,

us thing Alex had ever seen. "Then you come with me

e Firs

hey didn't look at the black card in Damian's hand, but they could feel it-its weig

they saw Damian's true smile-one that was full of promise, of dark intentions

Damian said, his voice

taken the first step into a world where nothing would ever be t

ertain: there was n