The staccato beat of Aiden's fingers on his desk echoed through the quiet of his office. He scrolled through the reports that Lucas had prepared, listing every security weakness in his life—his daily routine, his house, his company. It was unnerving, seeing his life spread out in such stark, scientific language.

  Lucas stood a few feet back, arms folded while watching. "You ought to be taking this more seriously. Whoever sent that message is not bluffing."

  Aiden looked up, annoyance flashing in his eyes. "You sound like you think I am oblivious to that. But I'm not going to live in terror."

  A sharp rap on the door broke the tension. Evelyn entered, her normally composed expression exchanged for one of urgency. "Aiden, you have to see this. Now."

  She handed him a tablet, the screen showing a live security feed from Carter Innovations. A team of masked individuals had breached the lower levels, moving with purpose.

  Aiden's jaw clenched. "How the hell did they get in?"

  Lucas was already in motion, drawing a hidden gun from his holster with one smooth, practiced movement. His eyes swept the screen, dissecting the invaders with a cold, calculated intent. "That's what we're about to determine. Stay close and do as I instruct you."

  The security feed began to flicker as the intruders shut down cameras, one by one, their proficiency chilling. They weren't your average thieves—this was a planned incursion. Lucas snatched up his earpiece, establishing a direct link to the building's security team. "We have several hostiles in the building. Seal all doors and activate perimeter defenses."

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  Aiden rose to his feet, tension building in his stomach. "I have to get down there."

  Lucas gave him a stern glare. "Not on your life. You're the target. You don't move."

  "Like hell I won't," Aiden retorted. "That's my company—my men down there."

  Lucas ground his teeth, but before he could protest, the security feed went black. Seconds later, the office lights faltered. The building had been breached.

  Lucas acted in an instant, sweeping Aiden away from the desk. "We're out of here. Now."

  Aiden didn't have time to think before Lucas shoved a gun into his palm. "Do you know how to shoot?"

  Aiden swallowed, holding the gun. "I'm more of a code guy than a combatant, but I'm not a waste of space."

  Lucas nodded curtly, approving. "Stay close to me. No heroics. We extract, regroup, and find out who the devil is behind this."

  Aiden nodded, adrenaline surging through his veins. The first strike had come, but this fight was far from over. Somewhere in the darkness, their enemy was waiting, and Lucas knew this was only the beginning.