Second Shot in Manhattan

The marble floors of the Maddux Holdings ballroom gleamed under the glow of chandeliers, casting long shadows over the crowd gathered below. The room was buzzing—low murmurs, polished smiles, and champagne glasses that never seemed to empty.

Lex hated places like this. Too much wealth. Too many secrets hidden behind polite conversation.

Rose stood by his side, blending in seamlessly with the tailored black dress she'd dug out for the occasion. She looked at ease, but Lex caught the flicker in her eyes as they scanned the room—always watching the exits.

"You sure Barnie's going to show?" Rose whispered, pretending to adjust her earring.

Lex smirked, sipping from the untouched champagne in his hand.

"He wouldn't miss his own party."

She glanced sideways at him.

"Funny. Neither would his security."

Lex followed her gaze to the far corner, where Trent Wolfe stood with his usual grim expression, scanning the room. Barnie's right-hand man didn't mingle. He lurked.

"He's not looking at us," Lex muttered.

Rose arched a brow.

"That's because he's waiting for you to come to him."

Lex set his glass down on a nearby table, running his fingers along the cuff of his jacket.

"Then let's not disappoint."

Barnie Maddux made his entrance the same way he always did—late enough to make people wait, but early enough to remind them who owned the room.

Lex saw him the moment he stepped in. His uncle wore the same expensive tailored coat, the same smug smile that hadn't faded in over a decade.

Barnie didn't scan the room for threats. He acted like he owned every corner of it.

Lex felt Rose's arm brush his slightly.

"That's your opening," she whispered.

Lex started forward, moving through the crowd like smoke, weaving between conversations until he stood directly in Barnie's path.

Their eyes locked.

For a brief second, Lex swore he saw something flicker behind Barnie's eyes—recognition, maybe even surprise.

Then it was gone.

Barnie smirked.

"Lex. I was beginning to think you forgot how to dress for these things."

Lex mirrored his smile, but the tension stretched razor-thin between them.

"I figured I'd stop by. I wasn't sure if I'd get another invitation."

Barnie chuckled, waving off a waiter who tried to refill his glass.

"You're bold, I'll give you that."

Lex took a step closer, lowering his voice just enough that only Barnie could hear.

"Bold is surviving the last hit you sent to my door."

Barnie's smirk barely shifted, but Lex saw the flicker in his eyes—the brief acknowledgment that they both knew exactly what Lex was talking about.

"Come now, Lex. You can't hold me responsible for every thug in the city."

Lex leaned in, his smile thinning.

"They weren't just thugs, Barnie. They were yours."

Barnie's eyes narrowed, though the smile remained plastered on his face.

"And yet, here you are. Still standing."

Lex stepped back slightly, adjusting the cuff of his jacket as he nodded toward the center of the room.

"I am. But I doubt everyone else in this room will be once I start talking."

Barnie's smirk faded for the first time that night.

Lex saw it—the crack beneath the surface.

But Barnie recovered quickly, eyes cold as steel.

"You want to pick this fight in front of an audience?"

Lex's gaze swept the room, watching the way Trent edged closer.

"I'm not the one who brought the fight to your front door, Barnie. I'm just finishing it."

Barnie's hand twitched at his side, just enough for Lex to notice.

Rose appeared at Lex's elbow, a glass of champagne in her hand, smiling as if she were part of the conversation the whole time.

Barnie's eyes flicked to her, and his smirk returned.

"Ah, Rose. I should've known you'd still be following him around."

Rose's smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Someone has to keep him out of trouble."

Barnie chuckled, but Lex noticed the way his fingers tightened around his glass.

"You know, Lex, it's a shame. I always thought you'd make something of yourself if you learned how to stay out of my way."

Lex's smirk sharpened.

"I did. That's why I'm still standing in yours."

Barnie held his gaze for a long, tense moment before turning to Trent with a slight nod.

"Keep an eye on him. Make sure he enjoys the party."

Trent's stare was colder than Barnie's, but he didn't speak.

Lex didn't look away until Barnie disappeared into the crowd.

Rose exhaled softly beside him.

"That was cute. Now what?"

Lex glanced toward the exit, watching Trent take up his position by the door.

"Now we wait for him to make the next mistake."

Rose frowned, sipping her drink.

"And if he doesn't?"

Lex's eyes darkened.

"He will."