AS I WALKED INTO the building, the smoke from expensive cigars hit me. An erotic loud song is blaring in the background and there are women in various states of undress positioned in strategic spots around the room. There were flashing lights, but the rest of the club was completely dim. It's the most popular nightclub in the city. It was the most upscale, but it was also the roughest.

Ignoring looks from the men and a few women, I headed straight to the elevator. Two large men met me outside closed doors. No words were exchanged, but one man pressed a button at the top. Then we waited.

We went up five floors before the doors slid open to expose a hallway with a bench and one metal door to the side. A familiar face stood in front of it and he nod at me, but his expression remained blank.

I glanced back. "Wait here."

Vince tensed, frowning but nodded. The man opened the door and nodded for me to go in so I did. He led me inside the room and gesture at the chair. "He'll meet you in a moment." He said before leaving.

The bass vibrates through the floor, but it's a lot quieter up here than it is in the club below. The room was dark with just a single light bulb hanging over the ceiling and a glass table set in the corner. There was a narrow hallway at the side but it was dark.

Minutes ticked by as I waited patiently for his arrival. Soon, my thoughts drifted back to Ayla and how she tried to keep her emotions in check over the past few days. I can't help but smile as I remember her struggling underneath my touch, wiggling her perfect body as she tries to fight off her emotions. I caught it a couple of times when I cup her face with my hand, she lets it happen for a few seconds. She even closes her eyes, looking so utterly relaxed when she leans into my touch, seeking comfort in someone who's given her pain. Her resolve is breaking, and I can't wait to show her just how much I owned her.

I told Gemma to leave her alone and let her wander around because I will always knew where she would be. Even if Ayla could make her way out of the manor, she'd never escape my territory. She could run but she wouldn't be able to hide.

I felt his presence even before he speaks. Most times an enemy doesn't make their presence known. They use the darkness to conceal their approach, so a person needed to "feel" them coming before they arrived.

"You want Estrada's head."

I look over at the man. He stood at the entry of the hallway, arms crossed over his chest as he pinned me with his gaze. His dyed black hair is slicked back from his forehead, and fine lines furrow his face. Beneath his suit, his arms and chest are covered in faded tattoos, a map of the tumultuous life he has led for so many years.

I wasn't surprised that he already knew my intention. This is a deadly man who takes what he wants, who feeds on the power he holds over others and will smile at you as he slowly slit your throat.

In the mafia world, Xavier Costello was the stuff of legends. The things he had done could not be said out loud without making many people sick, or causing them to piss themselves in fear. "Xavier."

He grinned. And it was sinister. "I got the report of you hitting the judicial branch. You're doing good work."

I nodded. "It was necessary."

My mind wanders back to our first meeting. It was five years ago when I ended up saving his son from an attack that plan to eliminate him. He told me that he owed me and that if I would ever needed help, he would gladly do so. And now is that time.

"Tell me about your plan then." he said as he walked over and poured us both a glass of whiskey.

I hated saying anything, showing anything. But I know in order to execute my plan successfully, I need to show him my cards. "I need you to lure in Estrada." I replied.

He drank, leaning back against the window and studied me. Others might crumble in fear in front of this man, but not me. "For her?"

His words threw me. I wasn't prepared for them. I wasn't surprised that he knew about Estrada, but the fact that he's also aware about what happened to her. So I didn't respond. I waited because he was working up to something, and fuck, I was pretty sure I wouldn't like it.

"Five years ago I offered you to work for me and help you avenge your family but you refused." he added.

I narrowed my eyes. "And my answer is still the same."

"Then if we're going to war, I need to know every detail of your plan especially when you are making more enemies. And you are Kade," He gestured to me, his hand moving in a sharp, savage motion. "Because of your noble crusade of infiltrating underground sex trades in the past, it earned you some powerful enemies. They might not have learned about you yet, but trust me, you would enjoy having me as your ally."

I glared at him, only to have him glare right back. "You must have learned about the trade this Saturday," My voice lowered, and I'm sure my eyes grew cold.

He only nodded and ran a hand over his jaw. "Van Horen had been in business with Estrada for years ever since that night. One of his house was Estrada's base for making sex slaves. I heard he's planning on moving in your territory next," I let the words hang in the air and watch as his eyes grew darker.

Xavier grinned, looking evil. "The last person who tried ended up buried alive in concrete."

"I know," I replied as I picked up my glass and drink. It was a well-known story that only intensified the fear that people has for him.

"I plan to make a move but I don't think Estrada will be there." I continued.

"How many?"

"A lot."

He cocked his head to the side. "Can you handle it?"

I grinned at him. "You know I can." I want more than anything for them to watch their empire burn down and know that they was outsmarted, outgunned, and fucked over.

"Okay, then." He said.

There was a knock on the door, before I could reply. A man stepped in. "What is it?" Xavier asked.

"Mrs. Costello is on her way." the man answered and Xavier cursed under his breath. He shot me a glare before walking over and placing his drink on the table. "I'll let you know once Estrada took the bait."

I stood, my face broke out into a smirk. "You don't want me to meet her?"

His eyes flashed a warning. "Careful, you're asking for death."

I chuckle as I started for the door. I know how fucking possessive and intimidating he gets when it comes to his wife. In fact, everyone thought that she would weaken him but she only made him worse and much more dangerous.

"Kade."

"Yeah?" I glanced back.

"Whether you realize it or not, you're cut out for this world."

I didn't comment. I don't think he expected me to. As I left, my hand curled around the air, and I could almost feel the weight of my knife. It was coming back to me.