The morning was muted, the city below bathed in a pale light that did little to chase the tension from the penthouse. Alexander stood by the windows, arms crossed, eyes scanning every movement beyond the glass. His usual calm was gone, replaced by a tautness that radiated from him like heat.

Amelia stepped up beside him, quiet, letting her presence anchor him without a word. Her own nerves hummed in time with his tension. She had reviewed every possible security measure, memorized every escape ...