House of Lust
The lights were low, the music was loud, and the energy in the room pulsed like a heartbeat ready to explode. Thick bass thundered through the red-tinged air as Anaconda by Nicki Minaj blasted through the massive speakers, sending shockwaves across the crowded, velvet-draped floor of House of Lust.
The grand opening was a sin-soaked spectacle of skin and sound.
Strippers glided down gleaming chrome poles like serpents, their oiled skin shimmering under crimson strobe lights. One woman arched her back so deep on a stage, she looked like a living question mark wrapped in rhinestones and lace. Another pressed her bare chest against a man's face, shaking her boobs as he threw his head back, laughing. One dancer straddled a man and rode his lap like it owed her rent.
Money rained down like confetti. Champagne bottles exploded open. The air was filled with the scent of booze, sweat, perfume, and depravity. And Adriano Greco sat in his throne above it all in the V.I.P. lounge.
Dressed in black on black, he leaned back in a velvet-lined booth like a devil in his kingdom. One arm slung lazily over Diamond’s shoulders, his fingers stroking her arm like she was both his muse and weapon. Diamond leaned into him, her thigh brushing his, her smile all mischief and possession.
They were a picture: the prince of the underworld and his favorite sin.
Below them, men gambled, drank, and watched almost naked girls twist around poles like ribbons in fire. The energy was electric, the vibe deliciously corrupt.
“Hell of a party,” Luca said, raising a glass of bourbon and flashing a grin. “Remind me to almost die more often if this is how we bounce back.”
Adriano smirked. “You planning on getting shot too? You better bring your own shoulder cast.”
Marco chuckled, sprawled across the booth like a lion who'd just eaten. “Nah, bro. I’ll just be the muscle and drink on your dime. This place? This is fuckin’ magic.”
Serena, legs crossed, swirling her wine slowly, gave a small nod of agreement. “You did good, boss. Real good. The name ‘House of Lust’? Branding perfection.”
Adriano’s dark eyes scanned the room, the pleasure on his face almost… reverent.
Luca leaned over to Serena, nodding toward Diamond. “Kinda poetic, huh? First time he saw her was in a place like this.”
Serena sipped her wine, calm as ever. “He’s infatuated. But she better stay sharp cause Adriano’s got an appetite. He just might find a new dessert.”
Diamond heard that and pulled back, her eyes narrowing playfully. “He wouldn’t dare.”
Adriano grinned, his fingers stroking her bare thigh. “Io ho occhi solo per te.”
Diamond raised an eyebrow and turned to Luca. “You speak Italian, right? What’d he say?”
Luca didn’t miss a beat. “He said… he already got his eyes on the strippers.”
Diamond’s eyes widened. She clutched her chest with a gasp and turned sharply to Adriano. “You mother—!”
Adriano lunged across Marco to smack Luca but missed. “You asshole!”
Marco and Serena burst out laughing.
Adriano turned back to Diamond, holding her gently. “Baby, he’s lying. It means I only have eyes for you.”
Luca leaned in again. “Still lying.”
Adriano snapped, half laughing, “Luca, shut the fuck up or I’ll forget how close we are and beat your ass up.”
Diamond squinted. “Okay, fine. I’ll just Google Translate it.” She pulled out her phone, opened the app, and held it to Adriano’s mouth. “Say it again.”
Adriano sighed dramatically, muttered the words—only for Luca to shout mid-sentence, “Okay, okay! I lied!”
The table erupted into chaotic laughter. Even Diamond cracked up, falling into Adriano’s chest. He pulled her closer, arms around her waist, and whispered against her hair.
“See? I’d never lie to you.”
She smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She let him pull her into another kiss, soft at first but is started to turn into something deeper as their tongues tangled together and they gently bit each others lips. Adriano tugged her legs closer into his lap as the kiss grew darker.
“Oh, come on,” Marco groaned. “Get a room!”
“Seriously,” Serena muttered, rolling her eyes. “I’m gonna throw up.”
Luca fake gagged. “This is a crime against my eyes.”
Adriano broke the kiss with a grin, turning to the crew. “I love you guys, but you’re all assholes.”
They all clinked glasses and laughed as the party raged on around them. The V.I.P. booth had never felt more alive.
Adriano was back. No—he wasn’t just back. He was reborn.
Inferno Royale, the nightclubs scattered across the city, House of Lust—all of it had been built from the ground up in two short, bloody months.
All paid for by Grayson. The senator had become a private ATM for Adriano's rise, funnelling dirty money masked as business investments, security funds, and “campaign” donations. Meanwhile, Adriano’s new crew—the Red Devils—had been trained and tailored by him personally. Not the polished, loyal soldiers of Il Serpente Dorato. These were wolves pulled from the streets, hungry and dangerous.
And they answered to him. No one else.
Adriano Greco was his own boss now.
—
The thrum of bass vibrated the pavement as sleek black cars rolled up like a presidential convoy.
The first door opened.
Alessandro stepped out dressed in an immaculate black-on-black suit. No tie. The silk shirt unbuttoned just enough to show his chest tattoos that trailed all the way up to his neck. His eyes scanned the neon sign glowing above the strip club.
Enzo emerged behind him, eyes wandering across the sleek, modern architecture and sinful imagery.
“Not bad,” Enzo muttered, tucking his hands into his pockets.
Alessandro shot him a sideways glare and scoffed. “It’s ugly.”
He started walking toward the stairs, his men—clad in all black and designer shades—flanking him on each side. The people in line outside started to murmur, eyes tracking the unfamiliar man who moved like royalty.
"Who the fuck is that?"
"He’s gotta be someone important. Look at Porsche."
“Celebrity? Billionaire?”
Alessandro didn't even utter a word, but the crowd parted like the Red Sea.
At the entrance, the two bouncers stood firm until Alessandro stopped before them, silent. They exchanged a glance of recognition? Respect? Or maybe fear.
“Evenin’, sir,” one muttered, stepping aside. The other pulled the door open.
The men walked in.
“Must be some V.I.P,” the bouncer mumbled to the other as the doors closed behind them.
—
Adriano sat lounged back, Diamond’s head resting on his shoulder. Her legs draped over his lap while she casually scrolled her phone, occasionally showing him a meme. He didn’t laugh, but the faint smirk on his lips said he appreciated her humor.
Marco slapped down a card on the table. “Full house. Suck it.”
Luca groaned, tossing his hand aside. “You cheat. That’s the third time tonight.”
“You just suck,” Marco shot back, pouring himself another drink. “Blame your weak-ass poker face.”
“I’m not weak, I’m expressive,” Luca grinned. “The ladies like a man with feelings.”
Serena snorted from her seat, legs crossed as she typed away on her laptop. “You cried watching Coco, Luca.”
“It was a very emotional movie, okay?” he snapped, offended. “That grandma? Don’t start with me.”
Diamond perked up, laughing. “Wait, you cried at Coco?”
Luca pointed at her dramatically. “Don’t judge me. I’ve seen the way you cry over TikToks.”
“That dog found its way home after six years!”
“A real gangster,” Marco said dryly. “Gets misty-eyed over Pixar and puppies.”
Adriano chuckled under his breath.
“Hey,” Diamond said, eyes on Adriano now. “Tell me the truth. What’s the softest thing you’ve ever done?”
He raised a brow. “Softest?”
“Yeah. Ever cry at a movie?”
Adriano looked like he was going to say no—but then paused. Everyone leaned in.
“One time, when I was a kid…” he started slowly, “...I fed a stray cat in the snow.”
Luca leaned back, gasping. “No.”
Marco slammed the table. “Get the fuck outta here!”
Diamond was glowing with laughter. “That’s adorable. What happened to the cat?”
Adriano shrugged. “Dunno. Probably died.”
Everyone groaned in unison.
“You could’ve lied and said you took it in or something.” said Luca.
Adriano smirked, sipping his drink. “I’m not soft. Just not a monster. That night was cold as hell.”
Marco raised his glass. “To the cold-hearted stray-saving king.”
They all toasted, laughing, Diamond beaming beside Adriano.
“Next time,” Adriano added casually, “I’ll just send it to Luca’s place. He can cry with it.”
“I will,” Luca said proudly. “Name it something dramatic. Like Vengeance.”
“You are not naming a cat Vengeance,” Serena muttered.
“Why not? It’ll be my emotional support animal.”
Adriano leaned into Diamond, murmuring something in her ear. She giggled and kissed his cheek.
Then Luca’s tone suddenly shifted.
His eyes narrowed over Adriano’s shoulder. “Uh… boss? We’ve got company.”
The laughter evaporated like smoke.
Serena straightened in her seat and instantly closed her laptop. Marco leaned forward, hand hovering near his waistband where his gun was holstered.
Adriano turned his head, following Luca's gaze. His eyes instantly locked on the figure striding across the club floor.
Alessandro Greco, trailed by Enzo and their men. And he was heading straight toward them.
The music didn’t stop. But it felt like time did.
Alessandro arrived at their booth and sat across from Adriano with perfect calm. He pulled out a cigarette and one of his men stepped forward, lit it, and stepped back.
He took a drag, blew out a thin plume of smoke—and then his blue-green eyes fell on Diamond. His stared at her body, like as if he could undress her with his eyes. Then he licked his lips.
Diamond subtly adjusted herself, suddenly very aware of her surroundings. Her hand legs slipped off of Adriano's lap.
Then, finally, Alessandro’s eyes met Adriano’s.
Tension crackled between them like a live wire.
“Adriano,” he said coolly. “You threw a big party… and didn’t even bother to invite your big brother?”