Adrian’s POV
Security swarmed the balcony the second the shades opened. The package sat there like a dare — brown paper, a single wire curling from one corner. Another decoy. Another scare. My hands clenched as they carried it away.
Elena sat on the couch with Leo curled in her lap, reading from one of her books in a soft voice. The story about the lost prince and the brave illustrator. Leo’s eyes stayed on the pages, but his small body stayed tense against her.
Mia paced near the windows, phone pressed to her ear. “He’s tracing the new payment. Tower security is compromised. Someone on the inside.”
I stood in the middle of the room, the weight of every mistake pressing on my shoulders. Six years. Vanessa had been playing chess while I thought I was winning at business.
My phone rang.
