I could still feel the soreness thrumming through every inch of me from last night, but it only made the temptation sharper. More dangerous. More addictive.
Kael leaned back in his chair like a king on his throne, the very image of control, as the two men across from him launched into their pitch. They sounded well-groomed, polished, with the hollow enthusiasm of men desperate to please.
"Our logistics firm has doubled its output in the last quarter," one of them said, followed by the sound of sliding charts across the table. "We're already establishing routes through Eastern Europe. With your backing, Roman Enterprises could dominate the sector within a year."
I watched as Kael's green eyes glinted, dark and cold. His tone was flat, detached as usual. "You've doubled output, and yet your margins are shrinking." He flicked the chart with a finger, dismissive. "You want me to pour my money into a leaking ship."
