Chapter 36: The Friction Point
The heavy, metallic hum of the private elevator shaft echoed through the penthouse foyer like a rising growl.
The passionate warmth of their shared alliance evaporated instantly, replaced by the freezing adrenaline of an active security breach. Damian stepped in front of Chloe with a fluid, instantaneous motion, his massive frame completely eclipsing her from the view of the entryway. His large hand dropped to his side, his fingers tapping a rapid sequence into his wrist terminal to force a hard lockdown on the secondary living room barriers.
"Marcus," Damian hissed into the encrypted comm-link, his voice dropping into a register so dark it bordered on demonic. "Why is she on my floor?"
"She used a stolen Federal Marshal transport credential from her fath
