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“We should contact Eli,” she said, ignoring the phone, her fingers stubbornly entwined with his. “See if he’s decrypted Korolov’s phone.”

Leo nodded, the transition from vulnerable to vigilant happening in the space between heartbeats. “And check the security footage. Once we confirm Eldridge and Korolov’s meeting?—”

She sat up straighter, mentally planning a to-do list. “We’ll have our link.”

“Yes.” His smile touched his eyes, igniting light in their depths. “Time to clear your name and bring Korolov down.”

29

Leo rubbeda hand across his chin, the stubble rough against his palm. Every time he closed his eyes, images from last night surfaced. He refocused on the monitors before him. Professional distance. That’s what they both needed.

His secure office within his apartment hummed with quiet efficiency. Three curved monitors dominated the desk, their displays casting cool blue reflections onto the polished surfaces.

Behind him, Kat sat with his laptop balanced on her knees, watching the morning news. He tugged at his collar.

She’d dressed in fresh clothes, her dark hair still damp from the shower. Barefoot.

He made himself turn back to the monitors to focus on the task at hand.

Mercifully, she’d dropped from the headlines—replaced by a government minister embroiled in a sex scandal and an upcoming NATO convention.

Leo plugged in the compact drive he’d used to download the security footage and waited as the system decrypted the data. “Anything?”

“Nothing from MI6.” Kat didn’t look up. “They’re regrouping—or deliberately quiet.”

Well. That was something.

He called up the Platinum Club surveillance footage and entered the date Brock had specified. Three angles filled the screens. Time stamp: 3:27 a.m. The private dining area was draped in low light and expensive shadows.

Victoria Eldridge appeared at the edge of the frame, navy suit impeccable. Adrik Korolov was already seated. He rose as she approached.

“There it is.” Kat came and stood at his side. “Proof of the connection.”

Leo studied their interaction. “Proof they met—not proof of what they’re planning.”

Eldridge slid something across the table beneath a folded napkin. Something small. Too small to identify on the grainy footage.

Kat narrowed her eyes. “And not their first meeting. She’s too at ease. So is he.”

Before Leo could respond, a soft chime cut through the room. The secure comms system lit up—a familiar icon pulsing on the side monitor.

“Eli,” he muttered, accepting the call.

The rightmost screen flickered, resolving into his brother’s face, sunshine streaming through the window of the Guardsmen Security base behind him.

“Give me good news.” Leo rotated a pencil between his fingers to dilute the tension thrumming through him. “You got something?”

“More than something.” Eli’s gaze shifted, catching Kat at Leo’s side. “Agent Landon. My brother has kept you out of custody?”

“Eli.” Her nod was crisp. “Yes, he has been... helpful.”

Leo’s fingers froze on the pencil mid-twirl. His brother’s eyes were too knowing.

Voices sounded in the background, and Eli turned. A shadow fell over the camera as another figure leaned in.

“Leo, what Russian did you piss off this time?” Fox’s unruly beard almost touched the camera lens. His expression transformed when he spotted Kat. “Agent Landon. Didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”

“Fox.” Kat’s tone warmed. “Good to see you.”