Virginia's winter came early that year.
The howling wind did nothing to cool the city's nightlife.
In front of the glowing glass windows of the Pharaoh Bar, a long line had already formed.
Those in line cast envious glances at the special VIP entrance.
A bright red carpet stretched all the way to the pyramid-shaped side door.
One luxury car after another stopped at its edge.
Well-heeled young men, each with an elegant beauty on their arm, stepped out to the flashes of journalists' cameras and the jealous stares of the crowd.
Uniformed security guards lined up on either side like walls, cutting the two worlds apart completely.
"Look at all those fancy cars."
"Yeah. If the president hadn't given us tickets, I'd never see a place like this in my life."
Two young veterans in dress uniforms chatted as they waited.
"Whoa—check out that Bentley Mark V! Shit, that's gorgeous.
If I could drive one once, I'd die happy."
As he spoke, the Bentley's back door swung open.
Leo stepped out in a deep brown overcoat over a coffee-colored suit and matching vest.
He paused as his driver opened the other door.
A pair of slim, pale legs emerged.
A beautiful woman with classic Slavic features in a minimalist black-and-white Chanel dress stepped out gracefully.
Her porcelain skin glowed under the lights, drawing every man's gaze.
As she slipped her arm through Leo's, a faint sigh went through the crowd.
"Looks like even that business-school senior Catherine couldn't hold on.
Didn't last a week.
Wonder what this new beauty's name is?"
One veteran remarked.
The other sighed, face twisted with pain.
"Yelena Alexandra. Seminary student. Rumor says she's descended from Russian nobility.
And yes, I know what you're gonna ask—I asked her out yesterday. She was my muse."
"Don't sweat it, Claude. She'll be single again next week.
For now let's just enjoy the president's treat.
I heard another hundred or so vets just joined the association.
Next month's best-instructor prize might not be ours anymore."
Inside the pyramid-shaped door and into the dance hall, the lighting dropped from dazzling gold to moody shadows.
Leo could feel the warmth on his right arm.
That softness confirmed it—the little Slavic beauty had gone commando tonight.
He was hardly surprised. For the past two months, almost all his "weekly girlfriends" did the same.
Leo lifted his arm slightly and gave a subtle wave toward the stage.
The MC, barely containing his excitement, shouted:
"Tonight's tab is on Mr. Valentino!"
The place erupted in howls, cheers, and applause.
Ever since Leo had started this tradition two months ago, it had become the Pharaoh Bar's signature move.
If you called yourself a regular and had never had Leo pick up your tab, you were likely to get mocked for it.
"Goddamn it—check, please. Ruined my mood."
For every cheer, of course, there was someone unhappy.
On the 3rd-floor balcony, in a secluded corner booth, sat Edwin Hutchinson.
Long golden hair fell freely around his face, marked here and there with pale albinism patches.
Two blond women clung to him, both pleasant if not stunning, but with curves enough to make up for it.
Across from him, Bertram Jefferson waved away an approaching waiter.
"Calm down, Edwin. Nouveau riche always act like this.
Richmond's best scene is here. Where would we even go if we left?"
Edwin didn't actually want to leave.
He just wanted to voice his disdain for Leo's flashy generosity.
"Honestly, ever since the Pharaoh opened, even New York feels dull.
But I've been in Europe. Fill me in—when did Virginia start letting upstart peasants act so brazenly?
Have you all turned into philanthropists?"
Bertram smirked.
"Please.
He had Senator Thomas's protection for a while.
There was even talk of him being Morton's heir.
Rumor was Thomas's oddball granddaughter Evelyn liked him.
Back then he was well-behaved.
But word is he got caught two-timing.
Evelyn left with Thomas to Africa to find her father.
That small-town beauty—his ex—left America for Austria.
Now? He rotates a new girlfriend every week.
And every week he runs off to Broadway in New York to throw money at some actress."
Edwin's eyes flickered at the name Evelyn but quickly returned to blank.
Among their crowd, Bertram was known as "Crafty Jefferson."
Even between friends, family interests didn't always align.
Best not to reveal anything.
"Not surprising.
These types think their luck will hold forever.
Look at that idiot woman from the Vanderbilts.
Fooled by a 'charming' man.
Now the guy's a ruin who needs a fortune just to divorce.
Forced Rafe Vanderbilt to personally 'solve' his brother-in-law problem."
They both laughed before Edwin gestured around the bar.
"So he's lost his patrons. Perfect.
I just got back from Europe. I could use a new venture.
I like this bar.
And that real estate association he runs looks promising too."
Bertram cut him off.
"Too late. The Cotton family has been laying groundwork for two months."
At the name "Cotton," Edwin shrugged and sighed at the bar's glow.
"Damn shame. Once a bar is in a preacher's hands, it won't be any fun."
"Can't help it. Governor Harry Byers is their son-in-law.
Richmond's mayor, Imon, is their stooge.
In Virginia, if they want it, no one else gets it."
Leo had no idea about any of the talk upstairs.
On the 2nd floor, in his private spot, he had the Slavic girl in his lap, thighs squeezed, lips parted in a moan.
Her custom Chanel dress was wrinkled all over.
Especially around the hips, marked with big handprints.
Her own hand had begun wandering lower when Leo's big one blocked her.
Yelena looked up at him, eyes smoky with desire, only to follow his gaze ahead.
She finally noticed the two men standing before them.
She quickly regained her proper posture, though her face flushed an even deeper red.
After the main team had gone west, the Pharaoh Bar's manager was now Walt.
The black-suited man beside him was Billy Jute, vice-captain of Lynchburg Gang's Eighth Squad.
A mid-level enforcer here to oversee tonight's "turf."
"Give us some space, Yelena. Go wait in the car."
As she stood to leave, Leo gave a lazy wave.
Smack!
A sharp crack echoed.
The girl shuddered from head to toe.