The heavy black armored sedan cut through the wet midnight streets of downtown Manhattan like a sleek shadow. Rain began to fall softly against the tinted windows, blurring the bright neon lights of the city into long streaks of red and gold.

Inside the back seat, the atmosphere was thick with quiet tension and raw power. Clara sat right beside Lucian, the heavy diamond ring on her finger catching the dim dashboard light. She rubbed her thumb over the smooth surface of the stones, feeling the steady, calming warmth of Lucian’s hand covering hers.

They were heading straight into the lion's den. Marcus Vance thought he was untouchable in his...