The city woke to sirens and speculation.
By morning, the incident at the warehouse had become a story—but not the one anyone expected. No names. No victim narrative. Just a quiet confirmation from authorities that an attempted coercion tied to an ongoing financial investigation had failed.
Lucien watched the news from the edge of the bed, his jaw tight.
“They’re circling it,” Seraphina said beside him. “Carefully.”
“They don’t know how to frame it yet,” he replied. “That makes them dangerous.”
She reached for his hand. “And honest.”
Lucien turned toward her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Seraphina nodded. “I was never hurt.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
She studied him for a moment, then answered truthfully. “I’m shaken. Not broken.”
He exhaled slowly. “That’s still too much.”
She s
