Chapter Twenty-Three: Stolen Fire
The penthouse went silent.
Then violent.
*****
Cassandra
The shattered doorway smoked with dust and broken plaster. Emergency lights bathed everything in a red pulse that made Lyra look almost demonic.
Beautiful.
Cold.
Triumphant.
Julie stood beside her in a designer coat and malicious smile, one hand on her hip, the other holding a silver injector gun.
Behind them, rogue wolves in tactical gear spread through the corridor.
Armed.
Disciplined.
Paid.
Bosco swore softly. “You brought mercenaries into my building.”
Julie smiled sweetly. “Your security was overpriced.”
Lyra’s eyes never left Cassandra.
“I offered you dignity,” she said. “Distance. A chance to disappear quietly.”
Cassandra folded her arms. “You offered me threats in expensive
