{Nico’s pov}
The estate was too still. Not the calm kind — the dangerous kind.
The kind of stillness that meant something was moving under the surface, just out of reach.
I stood in my office, back to the wide windows, eyes locked on Agent Carter. He sat across from me, legs crossed, hands folded neatly over his knee like he had all the time in the world. His suit was perfect, dark tie sharp against a white shirt, but it didn’t fool me. He hadn’t come here to waste breath.
“You’re late,” I said flatly.
Carter smiled faintly. “You’re lucky I came at all. After Rome, the Bureau isn’t exactly eager to cover your messes anymore.”
I stepped forward slowly, my shoes quiet on the dark floors. “Then don’t speak to me about luck. Tell me why you’re here.”
He slid a folder across the desk. I
