Ares

The house was quiet. Too quiet.

Even after the confrontation with Evelyn, Camilla, and the unknown operative, my instincts refused to rest. The Sterlings had won tonight—there was no denying it—but every victory carried its shadow. Every battle left a trace, a reminder that peace could never be taken for granted.

I sat in the command room, fingers drumming against the table as I scanned the reports. Evelyn and Camilla had been restrained, their plans dismantled, but I ...