Everyone had assumed that once the Tactical Response Unit arrived, Elias Vance and his people would be swept away like stray dogs, hauled off in disgrace without so much as a word of protest.
But what actually happened left the entire room speechless. Not only was Elias not detained, tactical commander Ronan Cole had snapped to attention the moment he saw that credential, listening to Elias's instructions with the deference of a junior officer receiving orders from a general. He didn't spare a single glance for the city officials who had been barking commands just moments before.
A wave of shock rippled through the onlookers. Who the hell was this man? What kind of background did he have, and what on earth had he just flashed at the tactical commander?
Ronan was already clearing the flo
