The Devil's Tribute
Night in the city meant one thing—
Power changed hands.
And tonight—
Someone was about to learn that the hard way.
Inside a private lounge on the top floor—
Men in suits sat around a long table.
Rich.
Powerful.
Untouchable.
Or so they thought.
The doors opened.
Silence fell instantly.
Damian El Diablo Reyes walked in.
Lucas behind him.
Two shadows flanking the walls.
No announcement.
No introduction.
He didn't need one.
Because his name had already arrived before him.
One of the men cleared his throat nervously.
"Mr. Reyes… to what do we owe the—"
"Silence."
One word.
And the room obeyed.
Damian took a seat at the head of the table.
Not invited.
Claimed.
His fingers tapped once on the table.
Lucas stepped forward—
Placing a thin black folder in front of each man.
"Open it," Damian said.
Reluctantly—
They did.
And everything changed.
Photos.
Records.
Hidden transactions.
Secrets buried deep.
The kind of secrets that could destroy lives.
End empires.
Erase names.
One man's hands began to shake.
"This… this is illegal—"
Damian looked at him.
Cold.
"Everything in that file is illegal," he said.
A pause.
"You just didn't think anyone was watching."
Silence swallowed the room.
The Offer
"I'm not here to expose you," Damian continued calmly.
Relief flickered—
Too quickly.
"I'm here to give you a choice."
And just like that—
Fear returned.
Lucas placed a single document in the center of the table.
Clean.
Simple.
Deadly.
"A monthly tribute," Damian said.
No shouting.
No threats.
Just certainty.
"You continue your businesses," he added.
A pause.
"But now…"
His eyes darkened.
"You operate under me."
One of the men slammed his hand on the table.
"This is extortion!"
Damian didn't react.
Didn't blink.
"Call it whatever helps you sleep," he said.
Then leaned forward slightly.
"But understand this—"
His voice dropped.
"If I walk out of here without an agreement…"
A beat.
"You won't have anything left to protect."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
The Breaking Point
One by one—
They looked at each other.
No one wanted to be first.
No one wanted to fall.
But they all knew—
They already had.
The first man picked up a pen.
His hand trembling.
Signed.
Then another.
And another.
Until all of them had given in.
Not by force.
But by fear.
Final Scene
Damian stood.
Adjusting his suit calmly.
"Good," he said.
Like it was always meant to happen.
As he turned to leave—
One man spoke weakly.
"What are you…?"
Damian paused at the door.
Without turning back—
"I'm the man you pay…"
A beat.
"…to make sure no one else comes for you."
The door opened.
Then closed.
And just like that—
Power shifted.
The devil didn't destroy them.
He owned them.
Has Damian built an empire… or created enemies powerful enough to destroy him?
And what happens when one of them refuses to keep paying?