POV: DANTE
14:07 HOURS (2:07 PM)
Dante was in his private quarters on basement level one, reviewing the video message he was planning to send to Dimitri.
The message was designed to escalate the psychological pressure. Another image of Eve. Another demand. Another threat of what would happen if Dimitri continued to refuse cooperation.
It was perfect.
It was calculated.
It was designed to break a man psychologically while keeping his leverage intact.
He was still editing the video when the alarm started ringing.
The klaxon filled the entire basement with urgent, undeniable sound, and Dante's entire body went rigid.
For a moment, just a moment....he didn't understand what was happening.
The alarm meant breach.
The breach meant security failure.
The security failure meant....
The door to his quarters burst open.
Luca stood in the doorway, and his expression told Dante everything he needed to know before he even spoke.
