The gunshots downstairs didn’t sound chaotic.
They sounded planned.
Precise.
Three bursts.
A pause.
Two more.
Not panic.
Signal.
The lights flickered again, then steadied in a dim amber glow. Emergency power.
Noah didn’t scream.
He didn’t run.
He simply looked between Alex and Dimitri as if waiting for instructions.
Lena noticed that.
And something inside her sharpened.
Alex’s men would never fire without his command.
Dimitri’s men would never fire without his.
Which meant—
Neither side was surprised.
“You brought backup,” Alex said coldly.
“So did you,” Dimitri replied smoothly.
Another gunshot echoed below.
Closer this time.
Lena’s pulse slowed instead of racing.
That terrified her.
Because she recognized this feeling.
Not fear.
Focus.
“You’re not fighting each
