The silence in the penthouse was a physical presence, thick and heavy as a burial shroud. The adrenaline from the shipyards had faded, leaving behind a brittle, trembling exhaustion. Sasha sat curled on the sofa, arms wrapped around her knees, her face pale and eyes wide with delayed shock. Nora stood by the window, staring at the city lights without seeing them, every nerve ending raw.
When Demetri entered, the air shifted. He had changed into a dark, impeccably tailored suit, the transformation from spectral sniper to corporate titan absolute. He carried no trace of the warehouse on him, only a chilling calm that was more unnerving than any display of anger.
“It’s over,” he announced, his voice a low, flat monotone that offered no victory. “Croft is contained. His organization is being
