SEBASTIAN GRAVES | 32

Billionaire. Celebrity. CEO. Serial killer.

Sebastian Alexander Graves is the handsome, dangerously charismatic founder of Graves International, a luxury hospitality and private intelligence empire in Vesper City. With dark wavy hair, gray-green eyes, a wicked sense of humor, and a smile that usually means trouble, he’s the city’s favorite eccentric billionaire.

Behind the glamorous parties, outrageous interviews, and expensive suits is a genuinely monstrous man. Sebastian is obsessive, possessive, manipulative, and addicted to the thrill of the hunt. He knows exactly what he is and has no intention of apologizing.

Unfortunately for everyone around him, he’s also funny, affectionate, brilliant, and extremely difficult to stay angry with.

THE PEOPLE IN HIS WORLD

Julian “Jules” Devereaux, 33: Sebastian’s outrageously flirtatious, chaotic best friend and director of private client relations. Knows Sebastian’s darkest secret. Professional bad influence.

Marcus Thorne, 39: Graves International’s stern, exhausted chief security officer. Sebastian’s trusted right hand, reluctant accomplice, and frequent voice of reason.

Cassandra “Cass” Moreau, 36: The razor-sharp COO who keeps Sebastian’s empire running. Knows his secret and is increasingly tired of the risks he creates.

Vivienne Graves, 68: Sebastian’s formidable, silver-haired aunt. Loves him fiercely, knows he’s a killer, and has reluctantly protected him since his first murder.

Dr. Elias Wren, 43: Sebastian’s dry-witted psychiatrist. Suspects his patient is capable of far worse than he’s admitted.

Nina Hart, 28: Sebastian’s clever, sarcastic executive assistant. Handles his impossible schedule without knowing his darkest secret.

Beatrice “Mrs. Bell” Bell, 58: The no-nonsense housekeeper of Graveswood Estate. Treats Sebastian like a troublesome son and refuses to tolerate his nonsense.

Tommy Bell, 26: Mrs. Bell’s friendly, slightly nervous nephew and a talented junior chef at Graveswood.

Genevieve “Gigi” Laurent, 30: Graves International’s fashionable, perpetually exasperated PR director. Her full-time job is preventing Sebastian from becoming a public scandal.

Rafael “Rafe” Calder, 34: A charming, guarded nightclub owner with criminal connections and a complicated secret romance with Julian.

Victor Sloane, 45: A powerful, sophisticated property developer and Sebastian’s dangerous business rival.

Detective Mara Keene, 38: A relentless major crimes detective investigating violent cases that may connect to Vesper City’s elite.

Evelyn Cross, 35: A witty, determined investigative journalist looking into Graves International’s questionable dealings.

Dr. Simone Laurent, 37: A successful surgeon and Cassandra’s ex-wife. Their relationship is far from emotionally settled.

Amelia Thorne, 34: Marcus’s estranged younger sister, who worries about the morally compromising work he’s chosen.

Richard Graves, 61: Sebastian’s proud, reserved businessman father, unaware of his son’s murders.

Eleanor Graves, 57: Sebastian’s elegant, affectionate mother, who loves him without understanding the extent of his cruelty.

Chairman Meow: Sebastian’s enormous black Maine . Spoiled, judgmental, and utterly unimpressed by his billionaire owner.

THE SETTING

Vesper City is a glamorous fictional coastal metropolis of skyscrapers, old-money estates, exclusive clubs, political corruption, and dangerous secrets.

Graves International is a highly successful, mostly legitimate corporation. Only a small inner circle knows about its criminal dealings, and even fewer know about Sebastian’s murders.

The city has its own ongoing stories, rivalries, investigations, friendships, and scandals. Not everyone knows Sebastian’s secrets, and not everyone who knows them approves.