Chapter 13 - Friday Night Lights
Friday evening arrived with the crisp, electric energy of autumn settling over the city. Sadi’s Brew & Bistro closed its doors early at 6:00 PM, transformed for the night as soft string lights flickered across the outdoor patio and jazz music drifted gently from the speakers.
Vincent arrived at precisely 7:00 PM, wearing a sharp charcoal suit without a tie, looking less like a feared syndicate boss and more like a man who had finally found home. Sadi met him at the door, wearing a simple, elegant dark blue dress that shimmered faintly under the evening lights.
"You look breathtaking, Sadi," Vincent said, his voice dropping to that low, warm register that always made her pulse race.
"And you look like you didn't just legally destroy a corporate law firm on Tuesday," she teased softly, stepping into his arms as he pulled her flush against his chest.
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"Business is business," he murmured against her hair, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "Tonight, there are no enemies, no debts, and no games."
They spent the evening sharing a quiet, candlelit dinner on the patio, laughing over stories of Tommy's adventures in Oregon and reminiscing about the absurd night Sadi had walked into the Continental and asked the most dangerous man in the city to pretend he loved her.
