Annakel
Cassian Roe doesn’t invite them to a boardroom.
He invites them to a “foundation office.”
Soft lighting. Neutral art. Warm wood. A bowl of fruit placed like someone’s idea of human comfort. The kind of place designed to look ethical on camera.
Viktor checks the hallway twice before they enter.
Jonah walks in first, polite smile in place like armor.
Annakel follows, Nadia at her side.
Alexander comes last.
He doesn’t announce himself.
He doesn’t need to. The air changes anyway.
Cassian rises from behind his desk with an easy smile. Silver-blond hair. Pale eyes. Hands open like he’s greeting guests, not rivals.
“Mrs. Kinolesky,” he says warmly, gaze flicking to Annakel’s throat for a fraction of a second. The mark is hidden under her collar today, but she can feel it hum w
