James POV

James leaned back in his chair, a pleased smile on his face, his glass of whiskey being swirled in his hand. The whiskey, a rich amber, shone in the dimness of the room, casting a sheen of victory in his veins. Alexis reclined on the sofa in front of him, her leg stretched over the sofa, her hands mindlessly drumming a cigarette between her fingers.

"Okay, well, that was a piece of cake," she blew, exhaling a thin stream of smoke.

James chuckled, his glass clinking gently on ...