I sat in the back corner of the bar, a strategic position that offered a clear view of the entrance. The ambiance of the place was a blend of elegance and discretion, perfect for the kind of conversation I was about to have. I wasn't a man who left much to chance, and this meeting with Preston Caldwell was no exception. It was an opportunity to size up a formidable adversary, and I was prepared to play this game with precision.

Preston made his entrance with the confidence of a man who ...