Episode 2: The Devil's Bargain

The elevator ascended in silence, its mirrored walls reflecting Lila's disheveled appearance back at her—pale face, rain-tangled hair, diner uniform wrinkled from struggle. Vincent stood beside her, his posture relaxed as if he escorted her to a business meeting rather than captivity.

She counted floors to steady her breathing. Twenty-three... twenty-four...

"You're shaking," Vincent observed.

Lila clenched her fists. "I'm calculating."

His chuckle was dark. "How many ways you can kill me with a butter knife?"

"Among other things."

The elevator dinged. The doors slid open to reveal a penthouse that belonged in an architecture magazine—sweeping glass walls, black marble floors, a chandelier like frozen lightning.

Vincent nudged her forward. "Home sweet hell."

Her sneakers squeaked on polished stone. "All this for little ol' me? You shouldn't have."

"Cost less than your father's summer house." He tossed his keys onto a side table. "Which, fun fact? Used to be my family's vineyard."

Lila froze. That property had been a gift from the city after Dad's "heroic" case.

Vincent stalked to a liquor cabinet, pouring two glasses of amber liquid. He held one out to her.

She didn't take it. "Planning to get me drunk first?"

"Planning to show you proof." He set her glass down hard enough to slosh liquor onto the counter. "But we'll do this your way."

With a snap of his fingers, a projector hummed to life. Grainy surveillance footage filled the far wall—a younger version of her father accepting a briefcase from a known drug lord.

Lila's throat tightened. "This is doctored."

Vincent advanced\, tapping the screen where the date stamp read *2009*. "You were what\, twelve? Bet Daddy told you he was 'working late' that night."

Her nails bit into her palms. That was the year he'd missed her middle school play.

Another video flashed up—her father standing over Vincent Sr.'s body, planting a gun in the dead man's hand.

"No." The word tore from her. "He wouldn't—"

"Wouldn't frame an innocent man?" Vincent's voice dropped to a razor's edge. "Wouldn't let my mother beg for her life before putting two in her chest?"

A third video: a teenage girl—Vincent's sister?—being dragged into a CPS van, screaming his name.

Lila's knees threatened to buckle. "I didn't know."

Vincent was suddenly in her space, his breath hot against her temple. "Now you do." He grabbed her wrist, dragging her toward a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city. "See those lights? Your father's 'justice' built that skyline on my family's bones."

She wrenched free. "So what's your play? Torture me until he confesses?"

Vincent's smile chilled her blood. "Better. I'm going to make you help me destroy him."

End of Episode 2

Episode 3: Cage of Gold (Preview)

Vincent reveals his "hospitality" has limits when Lila attempts escape

A shocking ally emerges from his criminal empire

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