The envelope felt heavier than paper should.
Lena stared at her name, the letters sharp and deliberate, as if whoever had written them had taken their time—enjoyed it. Her fingers trembled despite her effort to steady them.
Alex watched her closely. Too closely.
“Open it,” he said.
Her throat tightened. “Here?”
“Yes.”
She slid a finger beneath the seal. The paper inside was thick, expensive. The message was short.
You’re closer than you think. So is he.
No signature. No explanation.
Just threat enough to breathe.
Lena’s vision blurred for a second. “They’re watching me.”
“They’re testing,” Alex corrected, his voice calm but taut. “Seeing how I respond.”
“And how do you respond to something like this?”
He took the letter from her, folded it once, then set it down on the desk wi
