The lowest level of the subterranean bunker was a place specifically designed for absolute nightmares. It was a completely soundproof, sterile concrete cube buried hundreds of feet beneath the luxurious Apex penthouse. The air down here was incredibly cold, thick with the lingering, metallic scent of old blood and permanent despair. The harsh fluorescent lights hummed violently overhead, completely eliminating any forgiving shadows.
I stood entirely perfectly still in the absolute center of the room, wearing a dark, tailored trench coat over my crimson silk blouse. My hands were calmly tucked into my pockets, my fingers gently tracing the cold metal of the suppressed handgun Valerius had explicitly gifted me.
The heavy steel door groaned agonizingly. Viktor stepped into the stark white r
