CHAPTER 83: OLD FRIEND

Mikhail swirled the tequila in his glass and sighed. "Your VVIP member is really annoying, you know?"

His companion kept his back turned, staring at the glowing city outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

The only thing visible from behind was the sleek line of his dark hair, the broad frame beneath an immaculate deep blue suit, and the serpent tattoo coiled across his palm.

"You were the one who disturbed the sleeping Leopard first," the man said. "Even when he is supposed to be on his honeymoon."

"Oh? Getting jealous?"

Diablo kicked back on the sofa, his boots planted on the coffee table, a grin stretching across his face.

"You always remind me that he is your mate, so shouldn’t you be the jealous one?"

The man finally looked over his shoulder. His eyes were a pale silver, sharp and cool like moonlight.

"You really don’t care anymore, Mr. D? Interesting."

Mr. D smirked. "No. I am dead, remember? And unlike the rest of you, I do not want to become part of his bad memories or get slapped across the face."

Mr. D walked over and took the seat across from him.

The silent attendant finally moved as well. He opened a bottle of whisky resting in an ice bucket, poured a glass for Mr. D, and returned to his original place without a word.

"So, what do you want?" he asked. "Auriete members? I was annoyed when you rejected the offer last time but—"

"No. I want information. And I need someone who can bribe that politician and convince him to unfreeze the accounts."

Mikhail reached into his pocket and flicked something across the table. The black card slid smoothly until it bumped against Mr. D’s fingers.

It was a Blackshore currency card worth billions. Like Edmund, Diablo was deeply tied to Blackshore, although he had been involved far longer.

He had even helped expand it, yet unlike the narcissistic Leopard who constantly demanded attention, Diablo always operated in silence.

He never used his alias or his real name. Most members of Dominus had no idea he was linked to Blackshore at all.

Mr. D chuckled and shook his head. "Shouldn’t this be the Giant’s job? He is the only one you trust with the tasks you avoid."

"He is with that kitty right now, so I guess I need to handle everything myself." Diablo shrugged. "Give me one piece of information. Something worth that card."

"I think you might enjoy this one."

Mr. D gave a small glance to the attendant, who immediately stepped out. A moment later, he returned carrying a bag. He placed it on the table, opened it, and revealed a laptop.

A video played on the screen. A man was being dragged into a car on the streets of Sabbia Bianca.

Mikhail leaned forward, narrowed his eyes, and rewound it. He paused right as the man’s head was about to be covered by a bag.

The devil burst into laughter. "Is that useless rat again? He keeps disappointing me more than I thought possible."

"It seems Vincent is not suited for this work," Mr. D replied.

"I wanted him to join. His diplomatic skills are good, but he keeps throwing himself into deeper waters and cannot stay afloat anymore."

Mikhail laughed even harder and waved for another pour of liquor.

"Tell me, Mikhail. What do you plan to do once Lucien is yours? Give me a clear answer and I will hand you one more piece of intel."

Mr. D’s question landed so cleanly that Diablo’s laughter stopped on the spot. His whole face shifted.

"Planning to take advantage of Lucero while they are weak?" Mikhail asked.

Mr. D let out a low chuckle. "Hardly. Blackshore already belongs to me. I have no interest in a mafia group that begged for a VVIP member just to keep up appearances."

"Maybe you want revenge on your father then." Mikhail smiled as if he could taste the tension rising.

"I know how Lucero was built. I know what Salvatore did to stay on top. The price was high, and you paid part of it."

"That was why you befriended Lucien in the first place. But guilt always drags you back and you decide that your love and respect for him is bigger than your father ever was."

Mr. D’s jaw tightened, but the reaction faded quickly. He leaned into the sofa with a calm expression that no longer fooled anyone.

"You see too much, Mikhail. It is unsettling. Strange how the Leopard never saw the real you. None of the others did either."

"Just like you hide entire continents of secrets, I keep my own truths tucked away," he continued and lifted his glass.

"So if I decide I want him, will you step aside? Will you be afraid?"

Diablo laughed again, louder than before. "Nothing in this world scares me, not even God. Why would I step aside? If that makes us enemies, then that is simply what we become."

"You always choose the difficult road." Mr. D placed his drink on the table and exhaled quietly.

"For now, I am content where I stand. I do not plan to move against you. But whatever you do next might interfere with my business, and I need to be prepared."

The room settled into a heavy silence. The only sound came from the tall cylindrical aquarium in the center of the room.

Light rippled across Mikhail’s face as he watched the fish swim in slow circles. He finally spoke, and whatever he said made Mr. D freeze for a moment. His eyes widened before he let out a slow breath.

"Understood. Vincent’s kidnapper is from Abyssal, and he is inside your territory. He might be seeking protection or gathering information."

Mr. D stood up and straightened his tie. "Another member will handle the rest of your request. I have other matters to attend to."

The mention of Abyssal changed Diablo’s expression at once. His posture tightened, and the easy grin faded. He rose to his feet as well.

"Fine. It is good to have an old friend like you. We should talk again the way we used to, Damien." He waved lazily as he headed for the door.

Once outside, the joking expression disappeared. His eyes sharpened and his entire presence shifted into something cold and focused.

"I will crush Abyssal. And if Vincent is foolish enough to spy on me, I will crush him too."

He whispered the promise to himself as he walked into the distance.