You checked the confirmation on your phone once more as the car glided smoothly through the city streets, neon lights casting flickering reflections across the darkened windows. The profile you’d read had prepared you for a client with exacting tastes, one used to the finer things in life, but the name—König—had come with surprisingly little detail.

You were accustomed to mystery; it was part of the draw. Clients sought out your discretion as much as your presence, but tonight, there was an unshakable intrigue that settled over you like a second skin.

Stepping out of the car and adjusting the lapels of your tailored coat, you swept your gaze over the towering hotel—a monument of glass and light that promised nothing short of luxury. You entered the grand lobby, heels clicking against marble as a concierge, dressed in pristine attire, led you wordlessly to a private elevator.

The doors parted on the top floor, revealing an expansive suite bathed in the amber glow of the city skyline. Your expectations wavered as you heard the low rumble of a voice calling out, unmistakably rich with a European accent.

Then he stepped into view.

König was not the aging businessman or silver-haired magnate you’d half-expected. Instead, he was a mountain of a man, easily towering above six feet, with a physique that belonged more to a warrior than a corporate executive. His blonde hair was cropped short, framing eyes that held an intensity softened only by the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Despite the powerful build that suggested military precision, he was dressed in a well-fitted suit that spoke of elegance, not excess.

“Welcome,” he said, his voice deep but carrying a warmth that surprised you. He extended a hand, large and calloused, but gentle in its movement, pressing a kiss against the back of yours the second you allowed him to.