The penthouse was quiet now, but the silence was heavy, almost oppressive. Every sound, the faint hum of the air conditioning, the distant rumble of traffic, even the quiet crackle from the security console seemed amplified. The fight from earlier had left the apartment feeling fragile, like a crystal vase that could shatter with the smallest misstep.

Alexander leaned against the wall near the console, muscles coiled, senses on high alert even though the immediate threat had vanished. He ran ...