Page 10 of The Hunter's Empire

I glance toward the skyline outside my office windows, my thoughts moving faster now.

A private auction for one of the most elusive operatives. The entire thing sounds unreal. And yet… believable. Men like Domenico probably couldn’t exist openly. Not in normal spaces.

"When is the next auction?" I ask quietly.

"I don’t have the details yet." Stefano replies. "The locations change every time. Dates too. Whoever organizes them prioritizes security above everything else."

Of course they do.

"But I can find out." He continues. "If you decide you’re serious about this."

Part of me knows I should walk away from the idea entirely. Hiring somebody like Domenico Valenti would drag me into a world far more dangerous than the one I already operate in.

But another part of me, the part that built this company from nothing, the part that refuses to back down from impossible situations, is already too curious to let it go.

"If I go to this auction," I say carefully, "what exactly am I walking into?"

Stefano studies me for a moment before answering. "A room full of people dangerous enough to afford him."

A strange thrill moves through me at the thought. Not fear. Anticipation.

"And Domenico?"

Stefano's eyes remain steady on mine. "If you ever meet him, he'll already know who you are long before you know anything about him."

Stefano glances down at his watch before standing smoothly from the chair, straightening the sleeve of his suit with calm precision.

"I should let you get back to work, Ms. Krogen." He says. "I know things have been... demanding lately. Especially with the recent changes in your family’s business."

The subtle wording doesn’t escape me.

He’s informed enough to know exactly what’s been happening around me, but professional enough not to pry into it directly.

I rise as well, meeting him near the door of the lounge.

"That’s kind of you to consider." I reply with a small smile. "Things have been busy."

"I can imagine."

For a moment, the conversation settles into something quieter. Not awkward but measured. Stefano carries himself with thekind of confidence that never needs to dominate a room to control it.

We leave the private lounge together, continuing the conversation as we walk through the quiet hallway outside my office suite. Stefano speaks calmly about timelines, security concerns, and the level of discretion the project would require if I decided to move forward.

I'm still half-focused on everything he told me about Domenico when I notice someone approaching from the opposite end of the corridor.

Sebastian.

He walks toward us with easy confidence, the sharp cut of his charcoal suit making him look every bit the polished businessman the public loves so much.

"Well," he says as he reaches us, "this is unexpected."

Stefano’s expression barely changes, though I catch the faintest trace of recognition in his eyes.

"Sebastian Hayes." He says smoothly.

"Stefano Rinaldi." Sebastian extends his hand immediately. "It’s been a while."

"It has."