The morning sun poured through the tall windows of Derek’s hotel suite, casting golden streaks across the polished marble floor. The room was expansive, with plush furniture in deep, regal tones of navy and gold, and a chandelier that hung like a centerpiece in the middle of the ceiling. Everything about the place screamed wealth and power, yet Derek barely noticed it.

He stood by the window, his sharp eyes scanning the city below, but his mind was far from the stunning view of Devil’s City. His reflection in the glass showed a man lost in thought, his jaw tight, and his hands clenched at his sides. He couldn’t shake...