(LANCE )
The penthouse conference room felt smaller under the weight of the latest intelligence. Late afternoon sunlight slanted through the tall windows, casting long golden rectangles across the mahogany table and highlighting the subtle gleam of my ankle monitor as I shifted in my chair. The air carried the rich aroma of fresh coffee, the faint citrus of compliance officer hand sanitizer, and the clean linen scent of Eliona’s blouse as she sat beside me, her hand resting lightly on my knee beneath the table.
Jax had just finished briefing us. The folder in front of him contained photos, timestamps, and encrypted chat logs. The Shadow Reapers had grown bolder. Their recruitment drive was pulling in not only disgruntled former members but also younger prospects who had never worn our pa
