Chapter 2 - THE MIDNIGHT AUDITThe Grand Horizon Hotel was a towering monolith of glass and polished marble, catering to the ultra-wealthy who liked to pretend the city’s underbelly didn't exist. At 3:45 AM, the lobby was dead silent except for the low hum of the crystal chandelier's electrical current.
The night manager looked up from his desk, a polite, practiced smile plastered across his face. Before he could utter a word about private property or guest policies, Marcus slammed a heavy, solid-gold signet ring onto the mahogany counter.
The manager’s eyes dropped to the crest engraved in the metal—a coiled viper framing a double-bladed axe. The color drained from his face instantly, his smile twisting into a mask of pure terror.
“Mr… Mr. Brooks,” the manager stammered, his knees visibly shaking beneath the desk. “We weren't informed of an inspection—”
“Where is Javier Robles?” I asked, my voice dangerously low, lacking any warmth whatsoever.
“Penthouse… Suite 1402, sir. But—but Mr. Robles gave strict instructions that no one is to disturb—ạch—”
Marcus grabbed him by the silk tie, lifting him an inch off the floor without breaking a sweat. “The boss didn't ask for a room service update. He asked where the rat was sleeping.”
“Fourteenth floor,” the manager wheezed, clawing at Marcus's thick wrists. “Private elevator. The keycard is… right here.”
I snatched the electronic keycard from the desk, patted the manager’s cheek mockingly, and motioned to my men. “Keep the lobby sealed. No one in, no one out. If a stray cat tries to exit through the fire escape, shoot it.”
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As the private elevator shot upward, the digital floor numbers glowing in aggressive red LEDs, I felt the cold weight of the past rise up. I had built this empire from the gutters up specifically so people like Carmen Robles would never look twice at my family with anything less than absolute terror.
And yet, some insects never learn until the boot comes down.
