Theo’s penthouse, a sprawling expanse of marble, glass, and high-end design, had always felt like a fortress to him. But with Marcus Cain silently patrolling the perimeter like a predator surveying its territory, it suddenly seemed much smaller.

Theo tried to focus on the reports spread across his desk—projections for Orion’s rollout, damage control statements, and internal security reviews. His attention, however, kept drifting to the man who moved through his home like he’d been there a hundred times before.

“You always this quiet?” Theo asked, glancing up from his tablet.

Marcus didn’t stop pacing, his sharp eyes scanning the corners of the room, the windows, the ceiling. “You always this chatty?”

Theo smirked. “Chatty keeps the boredom away. You should try it sometime.”

“I’ll stick to keeping you alive,” Marcus replied without missing a beat.

Theo leaned back in his chair, watching Marcus with faint amusement. “Do you ever relax, Cain? Or is this hyper-vigilance part of your charm?”

Marcus finally stopped, turning to face Theo. His expression remained unreadable, but his tone carried an edge of warning. “Hyper-vigilance is why I’m still alive. And if you want to stay that way, you’d do well to appreciate it.”

Theo raised his hands in mock surrender. “Message received.”

A soft chime interrupted them. Theo turned to the wall-mounted control panel by the door. Someone was at the private elevator.

“Expecting company?” Marcus asked, already moving toward the entrance.

“Relax,” Theo said, standing. “It’s just my assistant.”

Marcus didn’t relax. He positioned himself near the door, out of sight but ready for anything. Theo sighed, walking over to the control panel and pressing the button to unlock the elevator.

The doors slid open to reveal Rebecca, holding a tablet and a takeout bag. She stepped inside, smiling nervously as she caught sight of Marcus.

“Delivery,” she said, holding up the bag like a peace offering.

Marcus eyed her for a moment before stepping aside, allowing her to enter. Theo waved her in.

“Don’t mind him,” Theo said. “He’s like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”

Rebecca set the bag on the kitchen counter, her movements stiff under Marcus’s scrutiny. “I brought lunch,” she said. “And an update.”

“Let me guess,” Theo said, pulling out a takeout box. “More bad news?”

Rebecca hesitated. “The threats are escalating again. Another email came through this morning. They’ve escalated to mentioning specific targets—board members, key engineers, even you.”

Theo frowned. “And IT still has nothing?”

Rebecca shook her head. “Whoever’s doing this is an expert. We’re running out of options.”

Marcus spoke up, his voice calm but firm. “They’re probing for weaknesses. Testing your responses. If they’re targeting people close to you, it’s only a matter of time before they escalate to physical attacks.”

Theo glanced at him, chewing on a piece of sesame chicken. “You really know how to lighten the mood, don’t you?”

“I’m not here to lighten the mood,” Marcus replied flatly.

Rebecca shifted uncomfortably, glancing between the two men. “Should we notify the authorities?” she asked.

Theo shook his head. “Not yet. We don’t need them sniffing around and asking questions about Orion. It’ll only draw more attention.”

“And give your attackers more leverage,” Marcus added. “They’re counting on you to keep this quiet. They know your reputation matters more than anything else.”

Theo set his food down, his appetite gone. “So what’s your recommendation, Cain? Hide under the bed and hope they get bored?”

“Not quite.” Marcus walked to the center of the room, his posture straight and commanding. “We tighten security. Your staff, your facilities, everything. No unnecessary movements. And you follow my orders—no exceptions.”

Theo raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. “You really think you can boss me around?”

“If it keeps you alive, yes,” Marcus said.

Rebecca gave Theo a pleading look. “He’s right, sir. This isn’t something you can control with charm and quick thinking. You need protection.”

Theo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Fine. But let’s get one thing straight.” He pointed at Marcus. “I’m the boss here. You’re the hired help. I don’t care how many black-ops missions you’ve been on—this is my show.”

Marcus stepped closer, his expression unflinching. “Understood, Mr. Montgomery. But if you ignore my advice, this show’s going to end a lot sooner than you think.”

Their eyes locked, a battle of wills unfolding in silence. Finally, Theo relented, throwing his hands up. “Alright, Cain. Do your thing. Just try not to ruin the décor while you’re at it.”

Marcus nodded once, already moving toward the windows to check the locks.

Rebecca exhaled softly, clearly relieved. She gathered her tablet and stepped toward the elevator. “I’ll head back to the office and coordinate with IT. Call me if anything changes.”

Theo waved her off, but his attention lingered on Marcus, who now stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, surveying the city below.

“You’re serious about this, aren’t you?” Theo said after a moment.

Marcus didn’t look back. “Always.”

For the first time in years, Theo felt a flicker of unease. He was used to control, to being the sharpest mind in the room. But Marcus Cain was something different—something unpredictable.

And for a man who thrived on certainty, unpredictability was as dangerous as any weapon.