Chapter 7 The Devil's Bargain

If Katie had learned anything in business, it was that power always came with a price. And tonight, she and Justin were about to see just how much it would cost them. The car rolled to a stop outside an exclusive underground lounge in the heart of Manhattan-The Red Serpent. It was Alan Peck's domain, a place where deals were made in whispers and fortunes were destroyed over a single drink.

Justin killed the engine and glanced at her. "Last chance to back out." Katie smirked. "And let you have all the fun? Not a chance." Justin's lips twitched, but there was no humor in his eyes. He knew exactly how dangerous this was. So did she. Still, they stepped out of the car together, moving toward the entrance like they belonged.

Like they weren't about to walk into a viper's nest.

The Red Serpent:

Inside, the club pulsed with low music and the murmur of conversations spoken in too many languages to count. The lighting was dim, the scent of expensive cigars and aged whiskey thick in the air. But Katie wasn't paying attention to any of that. Her eyes locked onto him.

Alan Peck sat in a secluded booth at the back of the lounge, his presence commanding even in the shadows. Tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp Slavic features and cold, calculating eyes. He looked like the kind of man who had never once feared the consequences of his actions. Because he had never needed to.

A woman in a silk dress whispered something in his ear, but the moment he spotted Justin and Katie approaching, he dismissed her with a flick of his wrist.

"Justin Clark," Alan said, his voice thick with a Russian accent. "I was wondering when you would come crawling."

Katie tensed, but Justin only smirked, sliding into the booth across from him. "I don't crawl for anyone, Peck. But I do have a business proposition."

Alan leaned back, swirling the dark amber liquid in his glass. "Business. Always business. Tell me, what does Clarke Enterprises have that could possibly interest me?"

Katie sat beside Justin, meeting Alan's gaze head-on. "We have information on Moore." Alan raised a brow, amused. "I already know Moore is a thief."

"You don't know the full extent of it," Katie countered. "He's been siphoning money, not just from Clarke Enterprises but from shell companies that lead back to your offshore accounts."

That got his attention. Alan's expression didn't change, but the air around them grew sharper. Justin pulled out a USB drive and slid it across the table. "Everything you need to confirm it. Bank statements, dummy corporations, offshore transfers."

Alan studied the drive, then glanced back up at them. "And what is it you want in return?" forced herself to hold his gaze. "We want Moore gone." For a moment, Alan said nothing.

Then-he laughed. Deep, rich, and entirely devoid of warmth. "You ask for much," he mused. "Do you know what happens when a man like me makes someone disappear?" Justin didn't flinch. "We're not asking for blood. Just leverage."

Alan exhaled slowly, drumming his fingers against the table. "Leverage... is expensive." Katie leaned in slightly. "We know you don't like people stealing from you, Alan. Moore has been doing it under your nose. If we take him down now, you look weak."

A slow smile spread across Alan's face. "Ah. You're not just a pretty face, Miss Valerie." She smirked. "No. I'm the woman who's about to make your problem disappear."

Alan chuckled, finally picking up the USB. "You amuse me. Very well. I will handle Moore." Katie exhaled, relief washing through her. But then Alan's eyes darkened. "But this deal comes with a price." Justin tensed. "What price?"

Alan's smile turned sharp. "Loyalty."

A cold weight settled in Katie's stomach. She knew what he was asking. Alan wasn't just agreeing to help. He was pulling them into his world. Justin exhaled slowly. "We don't work for you."

"No," Alan agreed. "But from now on, when I call... you answer." A favor. A promise they wouldn't be able to break. Katie's heart pounded, but Justin was already nodding. "Understood."

Alan grinned. "Good. Then it's done." He lifted his glass in a mock toast.

"To new alliances."

Katie clinked her glass against his, the taste of victory tainted with the knowledge that they had just made a deal with the devil.

The Beginning of the End

By the time they left The Red Serpent, the night air felt heavier. Katie exhaled sharply as she climbed into the passenger seat of Justin's car. "Tell me we didn't just sign our souls away." Justin smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Just a piece of them."

She groaned, leaning her head back. "Great. So when he eventually asks us to smuggle weapons or assassinate a rival, what's the plan?"

Justin chuckled, but there was something dark beneath the sound. "Let's take it one crisis at a time." Katie shook her head, but deep down, she knew the truth. They had just started something they might not be able to stop. And now, they had no choice but to see it through.

The Trap is Set

The next morning, the city moved as if nothing had changed. But Katie knew better. She sat in Justin's office, staring at the phone on his desk. They were waiting. Waiting for Moore to take the bait. And at exactly 9:03 a.m.-he did. Justin's phone rang.

He picked up, putting the call on speaker. "Moore." The CFO's voice was sharp, strained. Panicked. "Whatever you think you know, you don't," Moore snapped. "You have no idea what you're walking into, Clark."

Justin leaned back, calm as ever. "Don't I?" Moore cursed under his breath. "You need to back off. Both of you. This isn't just about money anymore." Katie arched a brow. "No? Then what is it about?"

A beat of silence.

Then-Moore's voice dropped, almost a whisper. "You're playing in a world you don't understand. If you don't stop now... you won't make it out alive."

A slow chill crept down Katie's spine. This wasn't just corporate fraud. This was something much bigger. Justin exhaled. "Thanks for the concern, Moore. But I don't take orders from dead men."

Moore cursed again. "You arrogant son of a-"Justin ended the call. Silence filled the room. Then-Katie smirked. "Well. That went well."

Justin chuckled, but his eyes were cold. "Moore's scared." "Which means we're close." Justin nodded. Then, almost absently, he reached for the whiskey bottle on his desk and poured them both a drink.

Katie accepted hers, raising the glass. "To leverage," she mused. Justin's smirk returned. "To making sure Moore never sees the inside of a boardroom again." Their glasses clinked. And just like that, the trap was set.

Now, all they had to do was watch Moore fall.