Two nights later, the city's underground gathered at The Obsidian Room, a private club known only to people who operated in Manhattan's darker circles. Deals were made there, alliances formed, and sometimes wars quietly began over a single drink.
Alexander Morozov entered the club with Victor walking beside him. The moment he stepped inside, conversations lowered slightly. People noticed when Alexander arrived. They always did.
Victor leaned slightly closer and said under his breath, "You're sure bringing her here is a good idea?"
Alexander adjusted his cuff calmly. "If someone is trying to trap both of us, they'll eventually show themselves," he replied. "Places like this make people careless."
At that moment the club doors opened again.
Ivy walked in.
She wasn't dressed like the quiet café owner tonight. Instead she wore a simple black dress and a long coat, her hair tied back neatly. She moved through the room with calm confidence, though her eyes were already scanning the crowd.
Alexander noticed several men glance at her as she entered.
Victor noticed something else.
"They're watching her," Victor muttered.
Alexander had already seen it.
"I know."
Ivy walked over to their table and stopped beside them. "This place is unpleasant," she said calmly as she sat down. "You didn't mention it was full of criminals."
Alexander gave a faint smile. "You're one to talk."
She ignored the comment. "Why are we here?"
"To see who reacts to your presence," Alexander replied. "If someone is hunting you, they won't stay hidden forever."
Before Ivy could respond, another man approached their table.
Tall, sharply dressed, with a confident smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Victor stiffened immediately.
"Great," he muttered quietly.
Ivy glanced at him. "What?"
Victor sighed. "Trouble."
The man stopped beside their table and looked directly at Ivy. "Well," he said pleasantly, "I don't believe we've met before."
Alexander didn't move, but his gaze turned colder.
The man extended his hand toward Ivy. "Adrian Keller."
Ivy studied him for a second before shaking his hand briefly. "Ivy."
Adrian smiled slightly. "A beautiful name."
Alexander leaned back in his chair and said casually, "Adrian, if you're finished introducing yourself, we're in the middle of a conversation."
Adrian glanced at him with mild amusement. "Relax, Alexander. I'm only being polite."
His attention shifted back to Ivy. "You're new here," he continued. "And people tend to notice when someone… interesting appears."
Ivy replied calmly, "People should learn to mind their own business."
Adrian chuckled softly. "Sharp tongue. I like that."
Alexander's fingers tapped lightly against the table. Victor noticed the small movement immediately. It meant Alexander's patience was thinning.
Adrian didn't seem to notice.
"Would you care to join me for a drink?" he asked Ivy.
Before she could answer, Alexander spoke.
"She's busy."
Adrian glanced at him again. "I didn't ask you."
Alexander's voice stayed calm, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it now. "That's unfortunate."
Ivy sighed quietly and stood up from the table. "Relax, both of you," she said. "This isn't a territorial dispute."
She looked at Adrian. "I'm not interested."
Adrian tilted his head slightly. "Not interested in a drink, or not interested in me?"
Ivy replied flatly, "Both."
Victor tried not to laugh.
Adrian studied her for another moment before shrugging. "Your loss." Then he glanced once more at Alexander and added, "Take care of her, Morozov. Manhattan can be dangerous."
After he walked away, Victor finally spoke.
"Well… that went better than expected."
Alexander didn't answer immediately. His gaze followed Adrian across the room.
Ivy noticed and crossed her arms. "You're glaring."
"I'm observing," Alexander replied calmly.
"You looked like you wanted to shoot him."
"That's an exaggeration."
Victor coughed. "Barely."
Ivy shook her head slightly. "You're both ridiculous."
Alexander looked back at her then, his expression calmer again. "Adrian Keller isn't harmless," he said. "If he suddenly takes interest in you, it's rarely a coincidence."
Ivy shrugged. "People take interest in me all the time."
Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly at that.
"Yes," he said quietly. "I noticed."
For a brief moment their gazes held, the tension between them heavier than before.
Then Victor leaned closer and said softly, "Boss…"
Alexander glanced at him. "What?"
Victor nodded subtly toward the upper balcony.
Alexander followed his gaze.
Three men stood there watching their table carefully.
Alexander's expression hardened instantly.
"Well," he said quietly, standing from his chair.
"It looks like the show's about to begin."
Ivy followed his gaze toward the balcony and sighed softly.
"Let me guess," she said dryly.
"More people trying to kill us."
Alexander gave a faint smile.
"Most likely."