The night air hung thick with Miami’s ever-present humidity, wrapping the city in a suffocating embrace. Neon lights flickered along Ocean Drive, casting distorted reflections in rain-slicked streets, the remnants of a brief but violent storm. In the alleys and backrooms of the city’s underbelly, the storm had only just begun. 

The game had been in motion for years, long before those playing it even knew they were pawns. Borders had shifted, alliances had formed and have since become fractured, and blood had been spilled in quiet corners of the city where no one dared to look. The rules were unwritten, but they were absolute: Power demanded obedience. Betrayal demanded retribution. And the past, no matter how deeply buried, had a way of clawing its way back to the surface. 

For those caught in its grip, it was simply survival. 

A phone rang in the dim glow of a downtown penthouse, cutting through the silence like a blade against glass. The man who answered spoke in measured tones, his voice betraying neither urgency nor fear. Across town, another call was made, this time to a woman whose life will be spent unraveling truths hidden in the shadows. And somewhere between them, in a place where trust was currency and loyalty a death sentence, a decision was made that could never be undone. What had started as a feud was now a reckoning. And before the sun rose over Miami’s restless skyline, the first shot would be fired.

About the Author

Rodney Phillips was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he has spent his entire life. He holds his master’s degree in human resource leadership management building a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Beyond his professional career, he has been active in youth sports, coaching football, and boys and girls lacrosse for more than twenty years. His dedication to mentoring young athletes reflects his passion for leadership, teamwork, and personal development.

Phillips resides in Pittsburgh with his family and three dogs, where he enjoys staying active in the community, following his favorite sports teams, and exploring new avenues of storytelling.