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“Too much of a paper trail,” Oz argues back.

Alex looks up from his laptop. “I have that covered. I can get us a plane.”

“And the pilot?”

“You’re looking at him.”

“You can fly a plane?” I stare at Alex in disbelief. The tech genius keeps revealing new layers like some kind of Russian nesting doll.

“Got my license when I was sixteen,” he shrugs as if it's the most natural thing in the world. “My father insisted. Said every man of means should know how to pilot his own aircraft.”

“And when was the last time you actually flew?” Oscar asks, ever the practical one.

Alex hesitates just long enough to make me nervous. “It's been a while, but it's like riding a bike. Once you learn, you don't forget.”

“A bike doesn't plummet thirty thousand feet if you wobble,” I point out.

“We won't be at thirty thousand feet,” Alex counters with a smirk. “Small aircraft, low altitude. Besides, I've logged the over two hundred hours necessary. Trust me, I can get us there.”

“What about the rest of us?” Vesper asks.

“The rest of you aren't coming,” Talon states. “Just me and Alex.”

“The instructions were clear. Talon is the only one who can do the pickup. I have to go to get him there. The rest of you need to hang back,” Alex demands.

Vesper crosses her arms, her stance widening as she plants herself firmly in the center of our group. "I'm going." Her voice catches slightly on the word, but she powers through. "I'm not sitting this out."

"It's not up for debate," Talon says, his tone gentler than mine but no less firm. "You're the one person who absolutely cannot be there. Alex and I will go and get the sample. It’s the safest option.”

I hate that we're doing this to her, forcing her to stay behind while we chase the one lead that might bring Luca home. But I hate the alternative more—her in the clutches of The Collector again, or worse.

“We leave at noon,” Alex announces, pushing away from the coffee table. I watch as he disappears down the hallway, his footsteps fading as he descends the stairs towards the basement. Talon nods to Oscar before heading to his room, presumably to pack.

“I want to go,” she insists. “Please.”

“There’s very little I would deny you, solnishko, but please understand, you need to stay back with Zaire and me. It’s for the best.”

For a moment, I think she's going to argue further, but instead, she just shakes her head and turns away. I expect herto retreat to her room, but instead, she heads for the basement stairs.

After Alex.

VESPER

The basement stairs creak,betraying my presence with every step. I don't care. Let Alex hear me coming. Let him prepare whatever bullshit arguments he thinks will keep me on the sidelines while they chase down the only lead to my brother.

The air grows cooler as I descend to Alex’s sanctuary—the place where he keeps his most secretive tools and sharpest skills hidden from casual eyes. I find him exactly where I expected, hunched over the weapons cabinet, methodically checking a matte black handgun before sliding it into a shoulder holster.

“I'm going with you,” I announce it like a fact, not a request.

Alex doesn't even look up. “No, you're not.”

“It wasn't a question.” I move closer, positioning myself between him and the cabinet. “It's my brother.”

“Which is exactly why you can't come.” His voice is maddeningly calm. “You're too close to this, Vesper. Too recognizable. Too valuable.”

“Too valuable?” I repeat, anger flaring hot in my chest. “I'm not some priceless vase you need to keep on a high shelf. Iamgoing with you and Talon.”

“No, you're not,” Alex says, sliding past me to access another drawer in the cabinet. “And you know why.”