Another figure walked in close behind him, their movements calculated and watchful as they scanned the bar like they were searching for something—or someone.

Katelyn’s instincts kicked in, and she ducked down.

The man’s gaze swept across the room, pausing for just a moment before he moved deeper into the bar, heading for the secluded private rooms.

Vincent’s voice was steady, barely above a whisper.

“He’s gone.” Katelyn straightened cautiously, her eyes darting to confirm that the man had vanished from view. She then turned to Vincent, her brows furrowed.

“Did he come alone? What about the others?”

Vincent stood without hesitation, his hand reaching for hers.

“Come with me.”

The bar buzzed with life, the crowd pressing around them like a restless sea.

Katelyn glanced uneasily at their joined hands. The thought of his fiancée tightened her throat. What would she think of this? She wanted to pull away, but the crush of people around them made it impossible.

If she let go now, she’d lose him in the crowd.

Reluctantly, she let herself be led.

Vincent didn’t stop until they reached one of the private rooms. As the door latched shut, the sounds of the bar faded into a distant murmur.

The room was shrouded in complete darkness.

Katelyn’s hand reached out instinctively, fingers brushing the wall in search of the light switch. Just then, a voice from the neighboring room pierced the silence.

“Damn. She’s the one who called me here, and now she’s late? If I don’t squeeze her for every penny, this’ll be a waste of time.”

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Vincent leaned in close. His whisper was steady, commanding.

“Don’t turn on the light. Just listen.”

In an instant, it clicked in Katelyn’s head. This was the person from the Shadow organization.

Katelyn crept closer to the wall. She pressed herself to it, straining to hear more. The voices on the other side became clearer.

“Calvin, we botched it this time. You think she’ll still pay us?” another man asked, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

There was a brief pause before the man called Calvin replied, his tone cocky, almost dismissive, “If she doesn’t, I’ll hand her name straight to her enemy. Let’s see how she likes that.”

They were thugs, hardened and unbothered by the possibility of her pulling underhanded moves.

In their world, those with nothing to lose had no reason to be afraid. As long as they stayed just shy of crossing the line, even the authorities would turn a blind eye.

And that allowed them to operate in the shadows and keep their grip on survival.

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