gh the heavy Manhattan traffic. The inte

her lap, her knuckles stark white from the lingering tension of the je

ated violently against t

en and saw a FaceTime call incoming f

muscles into a relaxed, cheerful mask to hi

ashing red and purple neon club lights. The loud, thumping

over the music. "Whe

s frantic energy. "I just finis

creen showed a chaotic, shaky view of the VIP section

The air rushed o

his silk tie ripped off and hanging loosely around his neck. He was

wildly as neon lights flared and people shoved past him. "I can't see clearly who he's hitting! It'

ith the force of a freight train. Julian had lied. There was no European fund cris

nded, her voice shaking with adrenali

de, her voice trembling but filled w

o Elysiu

aw Julian throwing a punch. His dark eyes narrowed

gher gear. The powerful engine roared a

y kneeling on the floor behind Julian, clut

washed over Colette. Tears pricked the

She lifted her chin, refusing to le

or. His grip on the steering wheel tightened s

yellow taxi, cutting through the dense t

ee this," Alex told her

at the windshield. "I am a Bea

t halt right in front of the

pped forward, raising their hands to

a sleek, matte-black Elysium VIP founder's card, flashing it briefly under the streetlights. He uttered a single, quiet directive to the bouncer

ne. He unbuckled his sea

tepped out into the cool night air,

cket. In that single second, his presence instantly transforme

dark, imposing shadow ready to tear ap