DEREK.

The sharp scent of cocaine filled my office as I leaned back in my chair, enjoying the rush spreading through my veins.

The door opened.

Sean, my right-hand man, stepped inside carrying a stack of files.

I raised a finger, signalling him to wait.

A few seconds later, I brushed my nose clean and stretched my arms behind my head with satisfaction.

"Talk."

Sean placed the files on my desk.

"The Black Spider Organization delivered six trucks."

I nodded for him to continue.

"Two trucks contained girls. Three were loaded with weapons. One was filled with cash."

My lips curled into a faint smirk. Good.

"Monteno also sent a message. He wants twenty girls delivered by tomorrow morning. No delays."

I tapped my fingers against the desk. "And?"

Sean sighed.

"Your parents want you at dinner tonight."

"What for?"

"They invited Annabelle."

I bit back a snarl. "Of course, they did."

My parents had been trying to force that marriage for years. For business alliance, political advantage, and shortcut to power.

Unfortunately for them, I couldn't stand Annabelle.

"Tell them I'm busy."

Sean raised an eyebrow. "They won’t like that."

"I don't care," I said flatly.

I looked up and caught him staring.

"What?" I asked, barely keeping the irritation out of my voice.

He hesitated. "Nothing."

"Then get out," I growled.

Without saying another word, he left the office.

I grabbed a cigarette from my jacket, lit it, and inhaled deeply.

Maybe I should introduce myself.

I am Derek Blue.

Waterfall is my city. The clubs, the hotels, the streets, the casinos, all of it belongs to me. Every profitable corner of this city answers to one name.

Mine.

I run the Scorpion Mafia Organisation.

People fear me. Most have never even seen my face. But they've heard stories. And rumours are often more terrifying than the truth.

A knock interrupted my thoughts.

Sean returned.

"The count is correct. Their information is inside these files," he said, extending the papers toward me.

I walked right past him. "Why read about them when they can introduce themselves?"

Sean groaned.

"You're impossible."

I smirked. "Yet you're still here."

Together we headed toward the shipment hall.

The massive warehouse hummed with restless apprehension. A row of girls huddled against the far wall. Fear craved into some faces, emptiness into the rest. Their eyes slid away the second mine landed on them.

I pulled the chair forward, the metal screeching against concrete. I sat right in front of them and let the sound hang in the air.

"Introduce yourselves," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm as my gaze swept over them, slow and assessing.

Nobody moved.

I smiled; they just made a wrong choice.

"I won't repeat myself," I warned, fingers tapping once against the chair.

One by one, they spoke. Each voice smaller than the last, each word pulled out of them like I was dragging it with my hand.

"Anna."

"Kate."

"Angela."

"Hope."

"Suzan."

"Linda."

"Lovey."

A soft voice reached me.

"Grace," she whispered, shoulders trembling.

I leaned forward, a slow smirk pulling at my mouth. "Say it again."

“Grace.”

"Louder," I said. The word left me like a command. No room for disobedience.

“Grace!” she choked out.

My fingers closed around her jaw, squeezing slow enough to make her feel every second. I wanted her to know I was in control.

"Grace!"

I let the name sit on my tongue. Interesting.

She might be useful. And I never wasted what was useful.

She had dark hair, pale skin, and brown eyes filled with fear. Yet there was something else there too. Something stubborn. Something that refused to break.

Most people shattered when they stood in front of me. Yet, she didn't.

I stood and slowly walked toward her. Every step made her tense.

I stopped in front of her. She lowered her gaze.

My hand slammed into the wall beside her head, caging her.

"Look at me."

She hesitated. Then obeyed. My eyes didn’t leave her.

Our eyes met. She didn’t react, not even a twitch of a lip. Her expression blank.

"Derek."

Sean's warning voice snapped me back. I stepped away. The tension in the room slowly eased.

I returned to my chair.

The girls looked relieved. Big mistake. Relief had no place here.

"You all have one opportunity."

Confused looks spread across their faces.

"A chance to run."

Sean's eyes widened. "What are you doing?" he asked in disbelief.

I ignored him.

The girls exchanged hopeful glances. Then two blondes bolted for the exit.

I aimed at them.

A gunshot cracked through the hall. Then another.

I let out a cold laugh and turned to the other girls.

They froze.

Others trembled.

They stared up at me with fear.

I lowered the gun.

"Now you understand," I said casually.

They all gave a slow nod.

Fear settled over the room like a heavy blanket.

"Listen carefully," I sighed, a faint smirk appearing on my face as I stood.

My voice stayed calm and cold. The one I use to control.

"The rules are simple." I said, counting on my fingers. "One, no crying. Two, no trouble. Three, when you're summoned, you come immediately. Four, you obey orders.”

I clicked my tongue three times.

"And if you break the rules..." I smiled. "You'll learn why people fear my name."

My gaze drifted back to Grace. Her eyes met mine. She stood perfectly still, trying desperately not to attract attention. Interesting.

I flicked ash from my cigarette. "Sean." I called him.

"Yeah?"

"Take them to their rooms."

He nodded.

The girls quickly followed him toward the exit. One by one, they disappeared. Except Grace.

She looked back for a brief second. I watched her until she vanished.

Something told me that girl was going to be trouble. The worst kind of trouble.

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