The air inside Elysium was thick with smoke, perfume, and bass that rattled the floorboards. Patrons laughed, flirted, and danced, oblivious to the storm waiting outside. Yet in the VIP lounge, time slowed. Every heartbeat, every glance felt sharper, more dangerous.

Gianna leaned back against the bar, swirling the amber liquid in her glass. Her eyes flicked toward Lorenzo, who stood near the shadows, watchful, predatory. Matteo lounged close by, casual in appearance but coiled like a spring, ...