The car slowed as the city lights grew brighter.
Evening had settled fully now.
Streetlamps glowed along the sidewalks, casting long reflections across the pavement.
Dante turned the wheel and pulled the car to a stop in front of a quiet building.
The jewellery shop.
Its display lights were still on, though the rest of the street had begun to empty.
Most businesses had already closed for the night.
But this one remained open.
Waiting.
Dante turned off the engine.
For a moment neither of them moved.
Then Dante glanced sideways at Izana.
"You're serious about this."
Izana opened the car door.
"Yes."
He stepped out onto the sidewalk.
Dante sighed and followed.
The bell above the shop door chimed softly as they entered.
Inside, the lighting was warm and golden.
Glass cases reflected the soft glow of the overhead lamps.
Necklaces.
Bracelets.
Diamonds resting on velvet.
Behind the counter stood an older man.
The jeweler.
He looked up the moment they walked in.
Recognition flickered in his eyes.
"Mr. Izana."
His gaze briefly dropped to Izana's face.
The split lip.
The faint bruising along his jaw.
The tired look in his eyes.
But the man didn't ask questions.
He simply nodded.
"I assume you're here for the ring."
Izana gave a small nod.
"Yes."
The jeweler disappeared briefly behind the counter.
Dante leaned against a nearby glass display.
His eyes scanned Izana again.
"You look like hell."
Izana ignored the comment.
Moments later the jeweler returned.
In his hands was a small black velvet box.
He placed it gently on the counter.
"For you."
Izana stepped forward.
He opened the box slowly.
Inside rested a ring.
Simple.
Elegant.
The diamond caught the light instantly.
For a moment the room felt quiet.
Still.
Izana stared at it.
Leah's face flashed through his mind.
Her blonde hair falling across her shoulders.
The way she had said his name earlier.
The way her voice trembled on the phone.
"Iz…ana?"
Dante stepped closer and looked down at the ring.
He let out a quiet whistle.
"Damn."
The jeweler smiled faintly.
"It's a beautiful piece."
Izana closed the box carefully.
"How much?"
The jeweler waved a hand dismissively.
"You already handled the payment earlier."
Izana nodded.
He slipped the small velvet box into the inside pocket of his jacket.
Hidden.
Dante watched the motion.
"You nearly got kidnapped permanently today," he said dryly.
"And this is still what you wanted to do."
Izana looked at him.
"Yes."
Dante shook his head slowly.
"You're terrifying."
Izana didn't respond.
The jeweler cleared his throat politely.
"If there's nothing else you need, I'll be closing shortly."
"That's all," Izana said.
They turned and left the shop.
The bell chimed softly behind them.
Outside, the evening air was cooler now.
The streets were quieter.
Dante climbed back into the driver's seat.
Izana sat beside him.
The engine started again.
The car pulled away from the curb.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
City lights passed across the windshield in soft streaks.
Finally Dante glanced sideways again.
"You know Leah nearly started a war earlier."
Izana looked out the window.
"I'm aware."
Dante continued.
"She had people searching the entire city."
"Every warehouse."
"Every building we own."
Izana was silent.
"She was furious," Dante added.
A faint hint of amusement entered his voice.
"Honestly, I think she scared half the organization."
Izana leaned his head slightly against the seat.
"She had reason."
Dante smirked.
"Yeah."
The car continued through the streets.
Eventually they turned into a familiar road.
The mansion came into view.
Lights were still on inside.
Dante parked the car.
"Well," he said.
"Good luck."
Izana stepped out.
The night air felt calm.
Quiet.
Nothing like the chaos from earlier.
He walked toward the front door.
Opened it.
And stepped inside.
The house was silent.
But the living room light was on.
Leah sat on the couch.
Still awake.
Still waiting.
Her blonde hair fell loosely around her shoulders.
The moment she heard the door open, she stood up.
Her eyes locked onto him immediately.
Relief hit her first.
Then concern.
She walked toward him quickly.
"Izana."
She stopped in front of him.
Her eyes scanned his face.
The cut on his lip.
The bruising along his cheek.
Her expression hardened.
"What happened?"
Izana shrugged slightly.
"Business."
Leah narrowed her eyes.
"Business?"
She stepped closer.
"That's your explanation?"
Izana didn't answer.
She sighed.
Then turned and walked to a small cabinet.
When she returned she was holding a first aid kit.
"Sit."
Izana obeyed.
He sat on the edge of the couch.
Leah knelt slightly in front of him and opened the kit.
Her fingers were careful as she cleaned the cut on his lip.
Izana watched her quietly.
She worked in silence for a moment.
Then spoke again.
"You disappeared today."
Izana didn't respond.
"Your phone answered with someone else."
She dabbed antiseptic against his lip.
"And you sounded strange."
Her eyes lifted to meet his.
"What happened?"
Izana held her gaze.
"Nothing I couldn't handle."
Leah stared at him for a moment longer.
She clearly didn't believe him.
But she didn't push further.
Instead she carefully wrapped a small bandage over one of his knuckles.
"You scared me today," she said quietly.
Izana's expression softened slightly.
"I know."
Leah closed the first aid kit.
Then leaned back slightly.
At that moment Izana stood.
"I'll be right back."
Leah frowned slightly.
"Where are you going?"
"My office."
She nodded slowly.
Izana walked down the hallway.
Inside his office the room was dark.
He stepped inside and closed the door quietly.
From inside his jacket pocket he pulled out the small velvet box.
For a moment he simply stared at it.
Then he opened the drawer of his desk.
The box disappeared inside.
Hidden.
Safe.
The drawer closed softly.
Izana stood there for a moment longer.
Then he returned to the living room.
Leah was still on the couch.
She looked up when he walked in.
"You should rest," she said.
"You look exhausted."
Izana sat beside her again.
Leah leaned slightly against him.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
She exhaled softly.
The mansion was quiet.
Peaceful.
For the first time all day.
But Izana's mind drifted briefly to the office.
To the drawer.
To the ring waiting there.
Soon.