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Leo took the stairs two at a time, Gage behind him. They’d abandoned the Jag half on the curb and bolted for the building.

Kat’s broken voice echoed in his head. Leonid. I need you.

When they got to Jane’s floor, her door stood ajar. No police tape, no official presence. Just an open door and silence.

His hand found his weapon as he pushed inside, the hinges protesting with a muted creak.

The smell hit him first. Copper-sharp and unmistakable. Blood.

Jane lay sprawled across the pale carpet, dark blood pooling from her head. Her eyes were open, fixed on nothing. Her phone lay shattered nearby.

Kat kneeled beside her, hands trembling above Jane’s shoulder—Jane, whose powder-blue scooter had saved their lives just days ago.

“Kat.” Leo crossed to her.

“She was still warm when I got here.” Her voice was flat. “I tried... I checked for a pulse, but...”

He crouched beside her. One shot to the temple. Clean. Minimal splatter. The work of a professional.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Gage muttered from the doorway.

“Secure the perimeter.” Leo said, not taking his eyes off Kat.

Gage moved without argument.

Fine tremors raced through her body.

“Did you call the police?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No time. It would only trap us here.” Her training had kept her moving, but her eyes were empty.

He gently placed his hand on her arm, lowering it away from Jane’s body. “We need to leave.”

Kat didn’t move. “Someone executed her.” Her breath hitched.

“We were meant to meet at a cafe. She had something on Eldridge. Said she was sick—some kind of brain condition. When she didn’t show, I came here and.

..” Her gaze drifted to Jane’s face. “They wanted me to see this.” Her voice broke.

“To see what happens to people who help me.”

The pain in her voice—so small, so crushed—splintered through Leo’s defenses. He’d seen her navigate disasters with cool precision, but this had broken something deeper.

He forced himself back to the mission. “We can’t stay here.” He kept his voice firm. “We’re exposed.”

“I can’t just leave her like this.” Her voice trembled.

The conflict on her face—agent versus woman—was tearing her apart.

“Kat, she would want you safe. You know that.”

Her shoulders sagged, control crumbling.

“This is my fault,” she whispered. “I asked her to help us. She was scared, but I pushed her. And now?—”

“No.” The word cut sharper than he intended. He softened. “This is Korolov. Eldridge. Not you.”

He wanted to gather her into his arms, promise that he’d fix everything. But that wasn’t what she needed. Not while Jane’s blood still soaked into the carpet.

“We need to move,” he said instead. “It’s not safe here.”

Gage reappeared, face somber. “Place has been searched. Whoever did this was looking for something specific.”

Leo nodded at the empty desk space. “Computer’s gone. Files. Anything connected to Nightshade.”

“Kat.” He cradled her face, forcing her to look at him. “I need you with me.”

Something flickered in her eyes—recognition, or maybe her usual fire. His Kat surfaced from wherever grief had taken her. Her grip on his wrist was jerky and mechanical. When he helped her up, she swayed against him.

Rage crystallized into purpose. He would find whoever had done this.

Gage approached, his antagonism gone. “We need to go. Now.”

Leo nodded. For now, they were on the same side. “Back stairs. Avoid cameras.”

“Let me call this in first.” Gage dragged a hand through his hair. “She deserves better than lying here for days.”

Kat reached for him, and Gage took her hand, squeezing once. “Hey, Kit Kat.”

Then he headed for the hallway.

A moment later, he called out, “Found a landline.” His voice filtered through the wall.

Leo bent close to Kat. “I’ve got you,” he murmured. “I won’t let go.”

She turned into his chest, the gesture seizing his heart. Her breath shuddered against his neck. He held her tighter, compartmentalizing everything except what was necessary.

Gage returned. “Tip’s in. They’ll be here soon.”

“Can you walk?” Leo asked.

She squared her shoulders, steel returning. “Yes.” Stronger than before, though her eyes remained unfocused.

As they moved toward the door, Leo glimpsed Jane’s body one last time.

This wasn’t just about clearing Kat’s name anymore.

Jane had died trying to help them, and someone had made damn sure Kat found her like this.

This wasn’t a warning. It was a challenge.

And he intended to answer it.