CHAPTER 1
Underwood draped itself over Valentia City like a velvet shroud, swallowing the skyline in shadow and neon. From the highest floor of the Serpentine Tower, Enzo De Lorenzo watched the city glow beneath him a kingdom he ruled without ever needing a crown.
His office was silent, vast, and cold, the kind of room that warned people not to breathe too loudly. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city like a painting. In the reflection, Enzo stood unmoving, a dark figure carved from stone. Broad shoulders relaxed, hands tucked into the pockets of his tailored suit, eyes sharp as a blade drawn in darkness.
Those eyes were the reason grown men whispered his name.
Those hands were the reason others never spoke again.
A soft knock broke the silence.
Enzo didn't turn. "Enter."
His right-hand man, Matteo, stepped inside with the uneasy stiffness of someone who'd witnessed too much death to ever relax. "The shipment is secured. The East District won't interfere again."
Enzo's jaw barely moved. "They tried."
"They failed," Matteo said. "Spectacularly."
A smirk touched Enzo's mouth so subtle it almost wasn't there. "Good."
He moved away from the window at last, crossing the room with a graceful, lethal calm. Every step echoed authority. The city might have politicians, judges, businessmen… but none had power like him. None were obeyed the way he was feared.
"Anything else?" Enzo asked.
Matteo hesitated which meant yes.
"There's a rumor circulating," Matteo said. "Someone's trying to infiltrate us. A woman. No confirmed identity yet."
Enzo paused, half-turning.
A woman infiltrating the Serpentine Syndicate was laughable.
A woman succeeding would be impossible.
Impossible unless she was smarter than their enemies.
Bold enough to step into the lion's den.
Reckless enough to test him.
Enzo leaned back against his desk, arms crossing over his chest. "Find out who she is."
"We're already searching."
"Good. And Matteo?" Enzo's eyes narrowed, unreadable. "If she steps out of line… make sure she never steps again."
Matteo nodded and left.
Silence returned, thick and absolute.
Enzo pulled out a silver lighter, flicking it open with a soft click. He didn't smoke. He simply liked the flame small, bright, fragile… and easy to extinguish.
He snapped it shut.
His kingdom was stable. His enemies were terrified. His name was carved into the bones of Valentia City.
Everything was under control.
At least, for now.
He didn't know that somewhere below him in his own territory, under his own roof the woman from the rumors had already arrived.