"My Sister Thought She Was Going To Win The Most Feared Man In Philadelphia. But When He Walked Past Her And Stared At Me, Everything Changed."

Carter Battalia did not blink. His dark, calculating eyes remained locked onto mine for three full heartbeats before he finally turned his head toward the man in the grey suit standing near the glass doors.

"Did you catch him cleanly, Thomas?" Carter’s voice was barely a murmur, yet the temperature on the balcony seemed to drop ten degrees.

"Cleanly, Mr. Battalia," Thomas replied, his posture rigid, his hands clasped neatly behind his back. "The warehouse district near the docks. He tried to dump the ledger into the river, but my men intercepted the crate before it hit the water. He’s tied up in the black sedan downstairs, waiting for your verdict."

A cold shudder ran down my spine. This was the reality behind the designer suits and old-money galas—the dark, brutal underworld where Carter Battalia ruled as undisputed king. People whispered about him in hushed tones across Philadelphia's exclusive clubs; they called him a monster, a ruthless operator who settled corporate and territorial disputes with terrifying finality.

Yet, standing here on the terrace with the wind howling around us, the most feared man in the city looked less like a mob boss and more like a predator who had just cornered his favorite prey—and refused to let go.

"Mr. Battalia," I whispered, my voice trembling slightly as I clutched my champagne glass like a shield. "You should go back inside. My sister... Vanessa will be looking for you. The entire ballroom is waiting for you."

Carter turned his attention back to me, his dark gaze sweeping over my face, lingering for a fraction of a second on my lips before rising to meet my eyes.

"Let them wait," he said quietly, stepping closer until the warmth of his body radiated against the chilly night air. "I don't care about the ballroom, Diana. And I certainly don't care about your sister."

Before I could process the intoxicating, dangerous pull of his words, a sharp gasp echoed from the doorway.

I spun around.

Standing half-hidden in the shadows of the velvet drapery was Vanessa. Her face was twisted into a mask of pure, venomous rage, her manicured fingers digging so hard into the folds of her emerald-green evening gown that the silk nearly tore. Her eyes darted from Carter’s imposing frame to my trembling form, taking in the way he stood protectively close to me, the way his attention was entirely, exclusively mine.

"Carter," Vanessa purred, forcing her voice into a high, sweet melody as she glided onto the balcony, ignoring the freezing wind entirely. "There you are. Everyone is looking for you inside. The mayor wants to introduce you to the city council chairman."

Carter didn't even turn his head to look at her. He kept his eyes locked on mine, his hand casually resting on the stone railing just inches from my hip.

"Tell the mayor I'm busy, Vanessa," Carter said coldly, his voice devoid of any polite warmth.

Vanessa’s smile faltered, her painted lips twitching with humiliation. "Carter, you must be mistaken. You were talking to me earlier by the bar. Surely you remember—"

"I remember a woman talking at me," Carter interrupted, his tone razor-sharp. "And I remember walking away to find someone worth talking with."

The silence that followed was suffocating. Vanessa looked as though she had been struck across the face. Her chest heaved, and when she finally glared at me, her eyes promised absolute destruction.

"You little parasite," Vanessa hissed under her breath, taking a sharp step forward. "You planned this, didn't you? You miserable little thief—"

"Enough," Carter commanded. The single word carried such absolute, bone-chilling authority that Vanessa froze instantly, her mouth hanging open in mid-sentence.

Carter turned his gaze slowly toward Vanessa, his eyes narrowing into cold daggers. "If you ever speak to Diana that tone again in my presence, Vanessa, you won't have to worry about galas or city mayors ever again. Do I make myself clear?"

Vanessa swallowed hard, her face draining of all color. She gave a stiff, terrified nod, turned on her high heels, and fled back into the ballroom, her sobs muffled by the heavy oak doors.

I stood there, my heart pounding against my ribs like a trapped bird, staring up at the man who had just dismantled my sister with a single sentence.

"You didn't have to do that," I whispered.

"I didn't do it for her," Carter replied softly, reaching out to gently brush a stray lock of hair behind my ear. His fingers brushed against my skin, sending a jolt of pure electric heat straight to my core. "I did it for you. Now... come with me."