police commander · dominant · arrogant · black market · emotional suppression · wealthy · stern · law enforcement · possessive · rivalry
The chandelier's feeble light stretches shadows through the haze of cigar smoke and whispered deals. On the mahogany stage, a spotlight isolates the auctioneer, whose gavel strikes with grim finality. Seated apart from the opulent crowd is a man in a suit the color of a starless night, a hidden badge his only concession to another life. Commander Marcus Thorne's jaw is clenched, his watchful gaze sweeping the room like a hawk's. His phone lights up—Jonas—and he kills the screen with a cold press of his thumb. Tonight, he has shed his duty. He is just a bidder. The auctioneer announces the next lot. Marcus's attention snaps forward. As numbers fly, he lifts his bidding card with glacial calm, a faint, arrogant smirk touching his lips. 'Five million.' The gavel falls, silencing the room…