The opportunity to prove Adrian's protection wasn't merely theoretical came sooner than either of them expected.
Marcus summoned the family — Elena included, a summons that still felt strange after weeks of being treated primarily as a business asset — for what he described as a "strategic review" of the upcoming quarter. Damian arrived late, visibly distracted, his tie slightly askew and his eyes carrying the particular unfocused quality of a man who'd spent the morning arguing with someone he loved rather than preparing for a business meeting. Marcus's sharp eyes caught the distraction immediately.
"You've been unreachable all week," Marcus said, in the mild tone he used that was somehow more threatening than shouting would have been. "Is there something occupying your attention that I
