The doctor's expression hardened. "Dr. Cromwell doesn't see patients without his express approval. And even then, he only treats cases he finds intellectually stimulating. You'll need to submit your case through proper channels and—""I'm telling you now," Alexander interrupted. "Get Dr. Cromwell. Tell him Alexander Howard is here."Another doctor—a younger man with wire-rimmed glasses—laughed condescendingly. "Oh, another one who thinks name-dropping will impress us. Let me guess, you're some billionaire who's used to getting whatever you want? Well, that doesn't work here, friend.""Your patient doesn't even look remotely interesting," the senior doctor added, her eyes raking over Katarina with clinical disdain. "Neural damage from drug abuse, most likely. We see cases like this all the time. Some rich girl who overdosed on designer drugs and now you want us to fix her? Not happening.""She looks like a common drug fiend," the young doctor agreed mockingly. "Probably fried her brain

"I need your help," Alexander said quietly, extending his hand to help the old man to his feet.Dr. Nathaniel Cross—now Dr. Nathan Cromwell—gripped Alexander's hand and pulled himself up, his eyes blazing with the manic energy that had made him both invaluable and terrifying during their military days."Anything," the old man said fiercely. "Name it, Master. I'm at your disposal.""There's a woman," Alexander began. "She's been—"But the chief was already moving, his transformation from outraged physician to military operative instantaneous and complete. He strode to the doorway where the senior doctor and her young colleague still stood gaping."YOU!" Dr. Cromwell barked at them, making both doctors jump. "Stop standing there with your mouths open like idiots! Prepare the neural imaging suite immediately! I want a full medical team assembled in five minutes! And someone get the woman in the lobby admitted to our most secure private room!""Sir?" the senior doctor stammered. "But you

Vanessa Sterling stepped out of La Maison Bleue—one of the city's most exclusive French restaurants—feeling satisfied with the business lunch she'd just concluded. A major pharmaceutical contract, signed and sealed. Another successful deal for Sterling Enterprises.She was reaching for her phone to check messages when three men materialized from the restaurant's parking area, blocking her path to her car.James Morrison stood in the center, flanked by Marcus Whitmore and Thomas Blackwell. All three wore expensive suits and expressions of smug superiority that immediately set Vanessa's teeth on edge."Ms. Sterling," James said with an oily smile. "What a fortunate coincidence. We were hoping to catch you."Vanessa's eyes narrowed. "Gentlemen. If this is about business, you can schedule an appointment through my office like everyone else.""Oh, this isn't official business," Marcus said, his tone dripping with condescension. "This is more of a... friendly warning. An opportunity, if you

Alexander's phone vibrated with the emergency signal—three sharp pulses that made his blood turn to ice. Dr. Cromwell's distress beacon. The one Alexander had given him years ago with explicit instructions: only activate this if death is imminent.He checked the encrypted message that followed, and his world tilted on its axis.ADRIAN HERE. WITH KATARINA. COME NOW."No," Alexander breathed, his hands clenching so hard the phone cracked in his grip. "No, no, NO!"Adrian was at the hospital. With Katarina. Three hundred miles away. Even if Alexander left this instant, even if he drove at maximum speed, it would take hours to reach her.Hours Adrian would spend torturing her. Killing her. Destroying the woman Alexander loved more than life itself.But he had to try.Alexander burst from the conference room, shouting orders to his security team. "Get the fastest vehicle we have! Clear a route to the airport! NOW!"Vanessa appeared in the hallway, alarm written across her face. "Alexander,

Alexander pulled back the sheet and felt simultaneous relief and devastation crash through him.Dr. Nathaniel Cross's lifeless eyes stared up at the ceiling, his face frozen in an expression of defiant loyalty even in death. The old man who'd served him faithfully for decades, who'd devoted his genius to healing Katarina, who'd given his life trying to protect her."The chief," Alexander whispered, his vision blurring with tears. "Adrian, you bastard.""Do you know this victim?" a detective asked.Alexander nodded, unable to speak. His fury at Adrian burned so hot it threatened to consume him entirely. His brother had murdered a brilliant man, a loyal friend, someone who'd done nothing but try to help."Are there other victims?" Alexander managed to ask. "Other bodies?""Just this one," the detective confirmed. "Though the facility staff reported a female patient was taken. Caucasian, mid-twenties, dark hair. Security footage shows several men carrying her out unconscious."Alexander'