Page 12

The apartment block knifed into the storm-dark sky, weathered brick slick with fresh rain.

More fucking rain.

Leo killed the headlights and scanned the street—seven floors of government-salary living. Two parked cars, a moped and a woman with her dog checking her phone.

Everything looked normal. Too normal.

Cold rain soaked his neck as he exited the car, but nothing could wash away the ghost of her touch. His hand still burned where she’d grazed his skin—an invisible brand.

Focus.

He’d built his career on emotional compartmentalization—feelings locked away, mission first. But Kat had demolished those walls.

She emerged from the car, rain instantly making the T-shirt cling to her curves. A contradiction—vulnerable and lethal in the same breath.

Her life hung in the balance, and all he could think about was the way the streetlight kissed her skin. The way her damp hair clung to her jaw. The faint tremble she tried to hide. That he noticed any of it was a fucking liability.

“Fourth floor?” He shrugged out of his jacket, the fabric still warm from his body heat as he settled it around her shoulders. Her eyes met his—surprise flickering into something softer. “Thanks.” The moment stretched between them, rain-soaked and electric, before she turned away. “This way.”

She led him across the rain-dark road. He fell into step behind her, his body a shield angled between her and the street. Every shadow, every movement registered in his peripheral vision.

His hand skimmed close to his weapon. He’d keep her safe, no matter what. The thought would have alarmed him under different circumstances. When had her welfare become more important than professional distance?

The stairwell echoed with their footsteps as they climbed. The door to 403 opened before they knocked. A woman with choppy blonde hair appeared, eyes wide.

“What the hell, Kat?” She stared at Kat’s oversized T-shirt before shifting her attention to Leo, her eyebrows raising briefly.

“Jane. Can we come in?” Kat tugged at the hem of her T-shirt.

Leo mirrored her glance over his shoulder. Still clear—but every nerve screamed exposure.

Jane stepped back, allowing them entry. Leo waited until Kat was safely inside before following.

The small living room was spotless. Meticulous bookshelves with color-coded spines in rigid lines. Furniture arranged with precision. Pale carpet with matching cushions.

The neat freak in him approved.

But dirty mugs littered the coffee table. Quiet evidence of unraveling.

She motioned for them to sit. Leo stayed close to Kat, positioning himself to monitor the door, windows, and Jane.

“This is Leonid.” A pause stretched like a held breath. “A... friend.”

That pause punched through him harder than any bullet.

“Jane. Did you try to warn me about something?”

Jane’s hands trembled around the kettle. “Coffee? This bloody rain?—”

“ Jane .” Kat’s voice iced over.

The kettle hit the worktop with a bang. “Sorry. Yes, I tried.” Jane exhaled.

“I heard rumblings. Isent that text in case they were monitoring your phone—so it wouldn’t raise any red flags.

” Her shoulders slumped. “By the time I realized how serious it was, it was too late. Victoria had already gone to your house.”

“What exactly did you hear?” Leo’s voice held quiet authority as he shifted, maintaining his sight line to the door.

“Adrik Korolov.”

Again. Shit.

Kat flicked a glance at him.

“I archived all the files from Hellisheidi,” Jane said, white-knuckled on the counter. “Korolov is filthy rich—property all over Europe, private jets, rare artifacts?—”

“We know all of that.” Kat’s voice was gentle.

Jane’s mouth pursed. She nodded once. “He’s also an avid gambler. High-stakes poker. Millions in play.”

Leo moved to the window, keeping Jane and the street in view. Every instinct screamed ambush. “Korolov’s in London?”

Jane’s teaspoon chattered against china. “I don’t know.” Her breath shook. “But I heard Victoria tell Director Chambers one of our undercover agents infiltrated a Prague arms showcase last month. Korolov was there. He told a Belarusian client MI6 cost him a multi-million-dollar deal.”

She stared at the bottom of the mug as if it might hold answers. “That was all I overheard. Even then, I told myself I was imagining things.”

“But you weren’t,” Leo said flatly.

“Two days ago, there were reports one of our surveillance teams spotted Korolov in London. The team got photographs of him with someone, but when I went looking for them, it was as if they’d never existed.”

She met Leo’s gaze as sirens wailed somewhere in the distance.

“The next day, Victoria had a closed-door meeting with Counter-Intelligence. That evening, they had a warrant to search Kat’s house.

They could have spoken to you about it, but they didn’t.

” Her gaze switched to Kat. “They came at you without warning, as if you had something to hide…I don’t know. It’s a mess.”

“They found data in my house, Jane. What is it?”

Jane shook her head as if to dislodge the tension building there. “A series of encrypted communications with shell companies linked to Raptor Industries dating back fourteen months.”

“Seriously?” Kat reeled backward as if hit.

“Victoria had the decryption key ready before they even entered your home.” Jane fidgeted with her mug. “I’ve seen the request timestamp. The key was generated at two thirty that afternoon, but the search warrant wasn’t even issued until midnight.”

Adrenaline flooded Leo’s bloodstream—pure and cold. This mess was just getting deeper and deeper.

Kat joined Jane at the counter. “Korolov and Eldridge?”

Jane lifted one shoulder. “Maybe. Perhaps. I don’t know. She’s not been well recently. I have no idea how she has the energy for any of it. None of it makes sense.”

“Think he’s here to watch it happen?” Kat frowned. “Front row seats?”

“He can try.” The promise wasn’t loud—but took root in him, solid as stone. Korolov wouldn’t get that satisfaction. Not while he still breathed.

Jane’s phone buzzed. All color bled from her face.

Leo’s weapon cleared leather before the ringtone died.

Time to go.

“I’m sorry.” Jane swiped angrily at sudden tears with the back of her hand. “They have photos—I had no choice?—”

“How long do we have?” Kat demanded, hurrying to the door.

Leo stepped between her and the hallway. Always between her and danger.

Jane’s voice cracked. “Five minutes. Maybe less.”