The soft chime of the coffee machine was the first sound that broke the stillness of the penthouse. Morning light poured through the glass walls, bathing the living room in a muted glow. Theo, already dressed in a crisp navy suit, leaned against the kitchen counter, scrolling through emails on his tablet. A steaming cup of coffee sat untouched beside him.

Marcus appeared moments later, moving with his usual quiet precision. He was dressed in tactical black, his presence a stark contrast to Theo’s polished elegance. He carried a small case in one hand and an earpiece in the other, his sharp eyes immediately scanning the room before they landed on Theo.

“You’re up early,” Marcus said, setting the case on the counter.

Theo didn’t look up. “Some of us have empires to run.”

“And some of us have to keep you alive while you do it,” Marcus replied dryly.

Theo finally glanced up, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Good to see you’re staying consistent with the charm.”

Marcus ignored the jab and opened the case, revealing a small array of equipment: a compact earpiece, a slim tracking device, and a sleek handgun.

Theo raised an eyebrow. “Planning a small invasion, are we?”

“You’re going to the board meeting,” Marcus said, picking up the earpiece. “That makes it a high-risk event. These are precautions.”

Theo set down his tablet and crossed his arms, eyeing the items with a mix of curiosity and irritation. “Precautions or paranoia?”

Marcus looked at him evenly. “You had armed intruders in your building less than twelve hours ago. Do you really want to test which one it is?”

Theo held his gaze for a moment, then sighed and picked up the earpiece. “Fine. But I’m not wearing that tracker. I draw the line at being microchipped like a pet.”

Marcus smirked faintly, though it was more a flicker of movement than a full expression. “Suit yourself. Just don’t get lost.”

As Theo adjusted the earpiece, Marcus checked his watch. “We leave in fifteen minutes. The car’s downstairs, and the route’s been cleared. I’ve got two backup vehicles tailing us in case of an ambush.”

Theo arched a brow. “All this for a board meeting? You really know how to make a guy feel special.”

“You should feel special,” Marcus said, pulling out his phone. “You’re important enough for people to want you dead.”

Theo let out a dry laugh. “I’ll put that on a plaque for my office.”

The black SUV cut through the bustling city streets with practiced efficiency. Theo sat in the back, scrolling through his phone, while Marcus sat in the front passenger seat, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.

The driver, a quiet man in his early forties named Greg, was one of Marcus’s trusted associates. He navigated the traffic with ease, occasionally glancing at Marcus for updates.

“So, Cain,” Theo said, breaking the silence. “Do you have this much fun on all your jobs, or is this one a special case?”

Marcus didn’t look back. “Define fun.”

Theo smirked. “Oh, you know—being bossed around by a tech mogul, fending off assassins, drinking bad coffee. The usual.”

“This is pretty standard,” Marcus replied. “But you’re the first client who talks this much.”

Theo grinned. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Before Marcus could respond, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and frowned.

“What is it?” Theo asked, noticing the change in Marcus’s expression.

Marcus turned to Greg. “Take the alternate route. Now.”

Greg didn’t hesitate. He made a sharp right, cutting through a less busy street, while Theo sat up straighter, his curiosity turning into unease.

“What’s going on?” Theo demanded.

“Traffic cam flagged a suspicious vehicle tailing us,” Marcus said, his voice calm but clipped. “Same make and model as one parked near your building last night.”

Theo’s stomach tightened. “And you’re just now telling me this?”

“I wasn’t sure until now,” Marcus replied, pulling out his own firearm and checking the chamber. “Stay in the car. Don’t move until I say.”

The SUV slowed as Greg turned into an underground parking garage, the dim lighting casting long shadows over the concrete walls. Marcus scanned the space, his body tense and ready.

The SUV came to a stop, and Marcus turned back to Theo. “Stay here. Lock the doors.”

“Marcus—”

“Lock the doors,” Marcus repeated firmly.

Theo nodded reluctantly, his usual bravado replaced by a flicker of nervousness. He locked the doors and watched as Marcus exited the vehicle, his movements quiet and deliberate.

Marcus crouched low, his sharp gaze darting across the parking garage. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the faint hum of the SUV’s engine.

He spotted the suspicious car parked two rows away, its engine off but the faint glow of a phone visible through the tinted windows.

Gotcha.

Marcus moved swiftly, his footsteps barely audible against the concrete. As he approached, the driver’s side door opened, and a man stepped out. He was dressed in dark clothing, a gun holstered at his side.

“Step away from the vehicle,” Marcus said, his voice cold and commanding, his gun trained on the man.

The man froze, his hands hovering near his weapon. “Easy, friend,” he said, his tone casual. “I’m just here to talk.”

Marcus didn’t lower his weapon. “People who just want to talk don’t tail SUVs and carry sidearms. Hands in the air, now.”

The man hesitated, then smirked. “You’re good. I’ll give you that.”

He reached for his gun, but Marcus moved faster. One precise shot hit the ground near the man’s feet, and he stumbled back, cursing.

“Next one won’t miss,” Marcus warned.

From behind the SUV, another figure emerged, this one armed with a rifle. Marcus dropped to one knee and fired twice, his shots precise. The second man fell, his weapon clattering to the ground.

The first man took the opportunity to dive back into his car, slamming the door and peeling out of the garage.

Marcus didn’t chase him. Instead, he secured the rifle and scanned the area for more threats. When he was satisfied, he returned to the SUV, where Theo sat wide-eyed and tense.

“Well?” Theo asked as Marcus slid into the passenger seat.

“Handled,” Marcus said, motioning for Greg to drive.

“Do you ever elaborate, or is ‘handled’ just your favorite word?” Theo muttered.

Marcus glanced back at him, his expression calm but firm. “You’re alive. That’s all the elaboration you need.”

Theo leaned back in his seat, letting out a slow breath.

“Fair enough,” he said softly.

The SUV pulled back onto the street, disappearing into the city as the stakes rose higher with every passing moment.