Lena run

s rooftop was lost on Lena. She leaned against the railing, the wind tugging at her loose hair as she replaye

eneath his shirt was fresh, and every step seemed to c

sting," Lena said

eeping," he countered

r and tired. "I don't think

s green eyes searching h

but we don't have the resources to decrypt them. Vanguard's going to

ocket. He pulled out a flash drive and h

to him, frow

best cryptographer I've ever met, but he's... unpredictable. H

sneaking into a gala? Or dangerous like

aintly. "Somewh

e table behind them. She grabbed it, her stomach

d hesitantl

ponded. "You're playing a d

kipped a beat.

ignoring her question. "The files you stole will do y

on the phone. "I don't

y. "Then you'll burn wit

ne wen

cing. Aiden stepped closer, his expr

ena said, her voice shaking. "An

"Vanguard doesn't bluff

-

re dawn. The streets were quiet, but an uneasy tension hung

of Paris. Aiden had arranged the meeting with Specter through a

f fluorescent lights the only sound. Lena's nerves were o

short and wiry, with a hood pulled low over his fa

," Aiden

He gestured for the flash drive

"How do we know

sharp. "You don't. But if you want thos

laptop, plugging it in. The screen flickered with lines o

y, Specter leaned back, his expression

es?" Lena asked, h

layed a list of names, dates, and locations-alongside

aid. "It's a war plan. Vanguard's plan

They're going to use the

k. "And they won't stop until th

ncrypted a copy for you, but you need to move fast. Onc

they'd uncovered pressed heavily on them. The city arou

e fear gnawing at her. "This isn't just about us

brushing hers briefly