The sun bled gold over the horizon, casting elongated shadows across the Costa estate. The aftermath of the storm, the literal and metaphorical one still lingered in the air. Guards moved in tighter formations. The scent of gunpowder hadn’t fully faded. And at the heart of it all, Adrian stood watching over the eastern perimeter, a lit cigarette burning between his fingers though he didn’t smoke.
Inside the war room, Valentina paced slowly around the map table. Her eyes weren’t just studying routes and coordinates. They were reading threats, betrayals, and opportunities. Zora leaned against the wall nearby, arms crossed, watching her boss with renewed reverence. Valentina De Luca had come into her fire.
"Catalonia's under Cassiel's grip," Zora reported. "We lost two outposts in the south
