The phone call from Alexander came precisely three minutes after the photo hit the high-end financial blogs, but before it made the mainstream tabloids. It wasn't the harsh ring of the secured line; it was a simple, flat chime on my personal mobile, signaling that he was calling from outside his secure office, likely from the privacy of his driver's compartment.

I snatched it up, my hand shaking so hard I nearly dropped the device.

“Alexander.” My voice was barely a breath.

“Don’t ...