Nicolai was buried in paperwork when the office door flew open with startling force. Kent stormed in, breathless, his voice urgent as he called Nicolai's name.

Nicolai's frown deepened. "Kent, what the hell is wrong with you?" He snapped. "That's not how you enter someone's office."

Kent barely reacted, his expression taut with frustration. He raked a hand through his hair. "I know. I'm sorry. But this—this is serious."

Something in Kent's tone made Nicolai's stomach tighten. He said ...