The static from the desk intercom died, leaving a silence in the penthouse that was colder than the storm still raging outside. Julian didn't move, but Elena could feel the sudden, violent shift in him. The relief that had softened his hard features just moments ago evaporated, replaced by the lethal, rigid stillness of a predator that had just smelled blood in its own territory. His fingers tightened over the iron key in his palm, the metal creaking under the sheer force of his grip.
"Jax," Julian growled into the receiver, his voice dropping to a register that was barely more than a gravelly vibration. "Say that again."
"He's gone, Prez," Jax’s voice came back, tighter now, the background noise of the basement levels filtering through the speaker—scrambled comms, shouting Vultures, and
