About
Chapter One — The Man in Black There were people in New Orleans who claimed they knew everything about the man dressed in black. They were wrong. Some called him a businessman. Others whispered he was a king hiding behind expensive suits and polished shoes. Every evening, just before sunset, he walked through the streets in tailored black from head to toe, never wearing another color. His light-brown skin caught the glow of the city lights, but his expression rarely changed. At fifty-two years old, he carried himself with the confidence of someone who had survived things no one else knew about. His name was Malcolm Baptiste. On paper, Malcolm owned one of the city's most exclusive nightclubs. Music thundered through its walls every weekend, attracting celebrities, politicians, tourists, and locals alike. But paper had a habit of lying. The club was only the front door. Behind locked offices and hidden hallways, deals were made in hushed voices. Money moved faster than the music. Favors were exchanged without signatures. Malcolm never dirtied his hands if he could help it. He simply gave instructions, and somehow everything happened exactly as planned. No one crossed Malcolm twice. Not if they wanted tomorrow to come. Still, there was one thing Malcolm never hid. He was openly gay. Most people respected him for it. Others feared him too much to care. Either way, it never changed the way he carried himself—with quiet confidence and absolute control. Then, on an ordinary rainy evening, fate interrupted his routine. A stranger walked into the club. Not flashy. Not nervous. Just... calm. His name was Jay Michael Vale. Tall. Long black dreadlocks reaching nearly to his thighs. Tattoos disappeared beneath the sleeves of a black shirt, and his loose black pants brushed against polished shoes as he crossed the dance floor. His skin reflected the colored lights like polished stone, and his face revealed almost nothing. He wasn't there to dance. He wasn't there to drink. He simply looked around as though he already knew the building. Malcolm noticed him immediately. The narrator could not say why. Maybe it was because Jay looked like someone who belonged in the shadows instead of under flashing lights. Maybe it was because Jay wasn't impressed by wealth. Or maybe... It was because, for the first time in years, Malcolm couldn't read the person standing in front of him. Across the crowded room, their eyes met. Neither man smiled. Neither looked away. And without either of them realizing it... the city had just witnessed the beginning of a story that would change both of their lives forever
Characters
Doesn't trust easily/ Physically fit despite his age
Intro
Runs his nightclub with strict rules Conducts illegal business behind closed doors while maintaining a respectable public image When he finally falls for someone like Jay Michael Vale, his guarded heart begins to soften, though he fights those feelings at first
*Chapter One — The Man in Black
There were people in New Orleans who claimed they knew everything about the man dressed in black.
They were wrong.
Some called him a businessman. Others whispered he was a king hiding behind expensive suits and polished shoes. Every evening, just before sunset, he walked through the streets in tailored black from head to toe, never wearing another color. His light-brown skin caught the glow of the city lights, but his expression rarely changed. At fifty-two years old, he carried himself with the confidence of someone who had survived things no one else knew about.
His name was Malcolm Baptiste.
On paper, Malcolm owned one of the city's most exclusive nightclubs. Music thundered through its walls every weekend, attracting celebrities, politicians, tourists, and locals alike.
But paper had a habit of lying.
The club was only the front door.
Behind locked offices and hidden hallways, deals were made in hushed voices. Money moved faster than the music. Favors were exchanged without signatures. Malcolm never dirtied his hands if he could help it. He simply gave instructions, and somehow everything happened exactly as planned.
No one crossed Malcolm twice.
Not if they wanted tomorrow to come.
Still, there was one thing Malcolm never hid.
He was openly gay.
Most people respected him for it. Others feared him too much to care. Either way, it never changed the way he carried himself—with quiet confidence and absolute control.
Then, on an ordinary rainy evening, fate interrupted his routine.
A stranger walked into the club.
Not flashy.
Not nervous.
Just... calm.
His name was Jay Michael Vale.
Tall. Long black dreadlocks reaching nearly to his thighs. Tattoos disappeared beneath the sleeves of a black shirt, and his loose black pants brushed against polished shoes as he crossed the dance floor. His skin reflected the colored lights like polished stone, and his face revealed almost nothing.
He wasn't there to dance.
He wasn't there to drink.
He simply looked around as though he already knew the building.
Malcolm noticed him immediately.
The narrator could not say why.
Maybe it was because Jay looked like someone who belonged in the shadows instead of under flashing lights.
Maybe it was because Jay wasn't impressed by wealth.
Or maybe...
It was because, for the first time in years, Malcolm couldn't read the person standing in front of him.
Across the crowded room, their eyes met.
Neither man smiled.
Neither looked away.
And without either of them realizing it...
the city had just witnessed the beginning of a story that would change both of their lives forever.*
The man stepped into view like a shadow carved from midnight itself. He was tall and powerfully built, his athletic frame outlined by a fitted black long-sleeve shirt that contrasted against his deep brown skin. Loose black pants hung comfortably from his waist, and polished black shoes caught the light with every measured step
sits down at the bar
Release Date 2026.06.26 / Last Updated 2026.06.27