The rain had stopped, but the city still smelled of it.
Alisha stood by the window of Marco's apartment, watching the pale glow of early morning creep between the buildings. The streets below were slowly coming alive again—cars moving, people walking, the distant sound of horns and voices.
But inside the apartment, everything felt still.
Too still.
Marco hadn't moved from his spot near the door since they saw the photograph on her phone.
Someone had taken a picture of them.
Inside the apartment.
Which meant only one thing.
"They were here," Alisha said quietly.
Marco's expression didn't change, but something dark passed through his eyes.
"Yes."
Her stomach tightened. "So our security is compromised."
"It's worse than that."
He walked toward the kitchen table where the blueprints and security feeds were still scattered. His fingers rested against the edge of the table as he thought.
"They didn't just enter the building," he said slowly.
"They entered my world."
Aisha crossed her arms. "And they wanted you to know it."
"Yes."
A moment of silence stretched between them.
Alisha hated how calm he looked. As if this kind of danger was just another day for him.
"Whoever did this is confident," she said
Marco nodded once.
"Which means they believe they're protected."
"By someone powerful?"
"Exactly."
Alisha leaned against the wall, trying to steady her racing thoughts.
"Then we need to figure out who benefits from exposing us."
Marco's gaze lifted toward her.
"You're thinking like a strategist now."
"I'm thinking like someone who doesn't want to die."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Good."
The door suddenly opened.
Both of them turned instantly.
Enzo stepped inside, looking exhausted but alert.
"I checked the building cameras," he said without greeting.
"And?"
"They were disabled for exactly twelve minutes last night."
Marco's jaw tightened.
"Twelve minutes is more than enough time."
Enzo nodded.
"And whoever did it knew exactly where to go."
Alisha stepped forward.
"You think it's someone from the council."
Marco and Enzo exchanged a look.
"It's possible," Marco said.
"But there's something else."
"What?"
"The message."
Alisha picked up her phone again, staring at the photo.
Someone had been watching them from inside the apartment.
Close enough to capture their faces clearly.
Her chest tightened.
"Why didn't they attack?" she asked.
Marco didn't answer immediately.
Finally he said quietly,
"Because this wasn't an attack."
Alisha frowned.
"Then what was it?"
"A warning."
The word hung in the air.
Enzo rubbed his face.
"That's not good."
"No," Marco said.
"It's not."
He turned toward the window, staring down at the waking city.
"They're testing us."
Alisha stepped closer.
"Testing what?"
"Our reaction."
"And what do they expect?"
Marco's voice turned cold.
"Fear."
Alisha's jaw tightened.
"Well they picked the wrong person."
Marco glanced at her.
"Oh?"
She lifted her chin slightly.
"If they want a game, we give them one."
Enzo chuckled quietly.
"I like her."
Marco's lips twitched slightly, but his eyes remained serious.
"You might regret saying that later."
Alisha ignored them both.
"So what's the plan?"
Marco walked back toward the table and spread out a map of the city.
"We start by narrowing our suspects."
Enzo leaned over the map.
"The Ricci family?"
"They're part of it," Marco said.
"But they're not the ones pulling the strings."
Alisha studied the map.
"What about Adrian?"
Enzo glanced up immediately.
"You think he's involved?"
Alisha shrugged.
"He openly challenges Marco. He's powerful enough. And he was very comfortable during the council meeting."
Marco watched her carefully.
"You noticed that."
"Of course."
Enzo whistled softly.
"You're starting to sound like one of us."
Alisha looked at him.
"Trust me, that wasn't the plan."
Marco folded his arms.
"Adrian is definitely suspicious."
"But?"
"But he's too obvious."
Alisha frowned.
"So the real mastermind is someone hiding behind him."
Marco nodded.
"Exactly."
Enzo tapped the table.
"So what do we do?"
Marco's eyes darkened.
"We flush them out."
Alisha blinked.
"How?"
"We give them something they want."
"And what's that?"
Marco looked directly at her.
"You."
The room fell silent.
Alisha stared at him.
"You want to use me as bait?"
"I want to use their obsession with you."
Enzo shifted slightly.
"Boss…"
Marco raised a hand.
"I know the risks."
Alisha crossed her arms.
"And you're just assuming I'll agree to this?"
Marco stepped closer.
"You're already in danger, Alisha."
"I know that."
"This gives us control."
She studied his face carefully.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
"And if something goes wrong?"
His voice dropped lower.
"It won't."
Alisha laughed quietly.
"That's not very reassuring."
Enzo suddenly spoke.
"There's another option."
Marco looked at him.
"What?"
"We move her somewhere safe."
Marco shook his head immediately.
"No."
Aisha raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
"Because running makes us look weak."
"And pride is more important than safety?"
Marco stepped even closer now.
His voice softened slightly.
"This isn't about pride."
"Then what is it about?"
"It's about ending this."
The intensity in his voice made her pause.
"You think baiting them will expose the traitor."
"Yes."
Alisha looked down at the map again.
Her mind raced through the possibilities.
Finally she sighed.
"Fine."
Marco blinked.
"You agree?"
"I don't have much choice, do I?"
Enzo chuckled.
"She's braver than half the men I know."
Marco didn't smile this time.
Instead he reached for his phone.
"I'll arrange everything."
Aisha watched him carefully.
"Marco."
He paused.
"Yes?"
"If this goes wrong…"
"It won't."
She shook her head.
"If it does, I need you to promise me something."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"What?"
"That you won't sacrifice everyone else just to save me."
Marco stared at her for a long moment.
Then he said quietly,
"That's not a promise I can make."
Her heart skipped.
Before she could respond—
His phone rang.
Marco looked at the screen.
For the first time since she had met him…
He looked surprised.
Aisha stepped closer.
"Who is it?"
Marco didn't answer immediately.
Instead he slowly turned the phone so she could see the caller ID.
Her blood ran cold.
Because the name on the screen was impossible.
A man who was supposed to be dead.
And if he was calling now…
Everything they believed about the enemy was wrong.
Marco answered the phone slowly.
"Hello?"
A voice spoke on the other end.
Calm. Cold.
And very much alive.
"Good morning, Marco."
"Did you miss me?"