The roar of the private jet’s engines was a low, vibrating hum that seemed to match the tension in Riana’s bones. Below them, the glittering lights of the city were being swallowed by the vast, dark expanse of the ocean. They were heading to "The Sanctuary," Albert’s private island in the Mediterranean—a place that didn't appear on any commercial map.
Riana sat by the window, the leather-bound ledger from the archives clutched in her lap. She hadn't let go of it since they left the building. Beside her, Albert was a storm of silent activity. He had three different tablets open, his eyes darting between encrypted security feeds and financial data streams.
"You’re doing that thing again," Riana said softly, her voice barely audible over the cabin hum.
Albert paused, his fingers hovering o
