Phantom returned moments later, his tablet in hand, his expression all business. He seemed relieved to break the tension that hung between Gerald and Lauretta like a physical weight."Here," he said, setting the tablet on the desk and pulling up a detailed schematic. "The Kings' compound. Located in the Balkan mountains, about fifty kilometers from the nearest town. It's an old fortress, retrofitted with modern security."Gerald stepped closer, forcing himself to focus on the screen, on the work, on anything but the woman standing beside him. Lauretta moved to his other side, her shoulder almost brushing his, her presence a constant reminder of everything he had tried to forget."The perimeter is ringed with motion sensors and cameras," Phantom continued, zooming in on the outer walls. "There's a guard tower at each corner, manned around the clock. Inside, the compound is divided into three sections—living quarters, operations center, and a secure vault where they keep their most sens

Chance walked in at that moment, his face tight with concern. He had been in the study when Flynn called, and he had come immediately, his mind racing through possibilities, threats, contingencies."What happened?" he asked, looking from Flynn to Janelle to Marcus.Flynn briefed him quickly—the walk home, the footsteps, the voice calling her name, the escape through the crowded streets. Chance listened, his jaw tightening, his hands clenching at his sides."She's lucky she got away," Chance said when Flynn finished. "The Kings are getting bolder. First Courtney, now Janelle. They're testing us."Flynn stood, his face pale. "We need to increase security. She can't walk alone anymore. I'll drive her to work, pick her up—""Agreed." Chance nodded. "And we need to talk to Gerald. Find out if the CSSA has any intel on Kings' movements in the city."Janelle sat on the sofa, her hands clasped in her lap, her mind still reeling. She listened to the men talk—about security, about threats, abou

The clock on her nightstand read 11:47 PM. Janelle had been staring at the ceiling for hours, the note from Christine tucked beneath her pillow like a live wire, humming with the promise of answers she had spent her whole life seeking.She knew she shouldn't go alone. Every instinct, every lesson Flynn had taught her, every warning from Chance echoed in her mind. The Kings are out there. They've already threatened the family. You can't trust anyone.But the note said Come alone. Christine's life was in danger. If Janelle brought anyone, Christine might not show, and the truth about her parents' murder might disappear forever.Her parents. She barely remembered their faces. She had been so young when they died, young enough that the memories had faded to impressions—a laugh, a scent, the feeling of a hand holding hers. Flynn remembered more, but he never spoke of it. The pain was too deep, the wound too raw.But now, someone named Christine claimed to have answers. Someone who had been

The elevator doors opened, and Gerald stepped into the penthouse, Lauretta close behind him. The tension between them was palpable, a living thing that seemed to fill the room, making the air thick and heavy. They had barely spoken since the last time they were introduced to each other, had avoided each other's eyes during the drive, had focused on the mission with a professionalism that bordered on desperation.Flynn was waiting for them in the study, a map spread across the desk, coordinates marked in red. He looked up as they entered, his expression unreadable."Thank you for coming," he said.Gerald nodded, moving to the desk. "What do we have?"Flynn briefed them quickly—Krasny's location, the town in Carpathian, the intelligence Priya had gathered. Gerald listened, his mind working through the logistics, the risks, the contingencies. Lauretta stood beside him, her shoulder almost brushing his, her presence a constant reminder of everything he was trying to forget."The team is

Chance's thumb hovered over the name, frozen in place. Vinita. The letters seemed to pulse on the screen, dragging him back through the years to a time when life had been simpler, when the weight of the O'Connor empire hadn't yet settled on his shoulders, when he had been just a college student at ESU, young and foolish and full of dreams.He had met her in the library, of all places. She was sitting in his favorite corner, surrounded by books, her dark hair falling over her face, her brow furrowed in concentration. He had almost walked past, almost left her to her studies. But something had made him stop, had made him sit across from her, had made him ask what she was reading.She had looked up, and he had forgotten how to breathe.Their relationship had been brief but intense—a whirlwind of late-night study sessions, stolen kisses between classes, whispered promises that neither of them had been able to keep. She had been brilliant, passionate, and utterly unpredictable. He had bee