The elevator hummed softly as it descended from the top floor of Montgomery Innovations. Inside, Theo stood with his arms crossed, his usual sharp confidence replaced by a tense silence. Next to him, Marcus Cain was a picture of calm intensity, his posture stiff and his eyes fixed on the illuminated floor numbers as they ticked down.

Rebecca was with them, nervously clutching her tablet. Her fingers tapped against its edge, a nervous rhythm that seemed to echo the growing tension in the small space.

“Explain it to me again,” Theo said, breaking the silence. His voice was controlled, but an edge of frustration seeped through.

Rebecca glanced at him. “The live feed from the boardroom shouldn’t have been accessible outside the building’s internal network. Whoever tapped into it bypassed multiple layers of encryption. It’s... impossible. Or at least it should be.”

“Clearly not impossible,” Marcus said flatly.

Theo shot him a look but didn’t respond. Instead, he turned his gaze to the elevator doors, his jaw tightening.

“Do you think they’re still watching us?” Rebecca asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Probably,” Marcus replied, his tone cold.

The elevator chimed as it reached the underground parking garage. Marcus held up a hand, signaling for them to stay put. He stepped out first, his sharp eyes sweeping the dimly lit space for any signs of danger.

The garage was eerily quiet. The rows of parked cars cast long shadows under the fluorescent lights, and the faint hum of the ventilation system was the only sound.

“Clear,” Marcus said after a moment, motioning for Theo and Rebecca to follow.

Greg, the driver, was waiting by the black SUV, his hands clasped behind his back. He straightened as Theo approached, opening the rear door for him.

“Get in,” Marcus said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Theo slid into the back seat, Rebecca following quickly. Marcus scanned the garage one last time before getting into the front passenger seat.

As the SUV pulled out of the parking space, Theo leaned forward. “Where are we going?”

“To a safe house,” Marcus replied, his eyes scanning the road ahead. “You can’t stay at the penthouse anymore. It’s too exposed.”

Theo leaned back, exhaling sharply. “Great. First my office, now my home. Anything else you want to take away from me, Cain?”

“Your ego, if it makes you listen,” Marcus shot back.

Theo opened his mouth to retort, but Rebecca interrupted. “Wait. Something’s wrong.”

Marcus glanced at her, his posture tensing. “What is it?”

She held up her tablet, her face pale. “I’m still connected to the building’s network. There’s movement on the security feeds—multiple people entering through the back service entrance.”

Marcus swore under his breath. “Greg, step on it.”

The SUV surged forward, speeding out of the garage and into the open streets.

Theo’s voice was sharp. “How the hell did they get in? The building is locked down.”

“They have inside help,” Marcus said, his tone clipped. “There’s no other way.”

As the SUV weaved through traffic, Marcus kept his eyes on the side mirrors. It didn’t take long to spot the black sedan following them, its movements too deliberate to be a coincidence.

“We’ve got a tail,” Marcus said, his voice low.

Theo stiffened. “Seriously?”

Marcus ignored him, turning to Greg. “Next right. Lose them in the side streets.”

Greg nodded, making a sharp turn that sent Theo and Rebecca sliding slightly in their seats.

“What’s the plan, Cain?” Theo asked, his voice tinged with frustration.

Marcus pulled out his gun, checking the chamber. “The plan is to stay alive. Sit back and let me handle it.”

The sedan followed, picking up speed.

“Damn it,” Marcus muttered. He turned to Greg. “Take the alley on your left. Tight space—they’ll have to slow down.”

Greg complied, the SUV lurching as it entered a narrow alley. The sedan hesitated for a moment before following.

Marcus rolled down his window and leaned out, his sharp eyes narrowing as he aimed. With practiced precision, he fired twice, hitting the sedan’s front tire. The vehicle swerved, slamming into a stack of pallets before grinding to a halt.

Marcus pulled himself back inside, rolling the window up. “They’re out of commission. For now.”

Theo stared at him, equal parts impressed and annoyed. “You’re disturbingly good at this, you know that?”

“Practice,” Marcus replied curtly.

The SUV finally pulled into the garage of an unassuming building on the outskirts of the city. The space was utilitarian—bare concrete walls, minimal lighting, and a distinct lack of luxury.

“This is it?” Theo asked, stepping out of the car. “Not exactly five stars.”

“It’s secure,” Marcus said, stepping out and motioning for Greg to lock the vehicle. “That’s what matters.”

Rebecca followed hesitantly, her tablet clutched tightly. “How long are we staying here?”

“As long as it takes,” Marcus replied.

Theo glanced around the room, his irritation bubbling over. “This is ridiculous. I can’t run a company from a bunker.”

Marcus stepped closer, his expression hard. “You can’t run a company if you’re dead, Montgomery. Get used to it.”

Before Theo could retort, Rebecca’s tablet buzzed loudly. She looked down at the screen, her face going pale.

“What now?” Theo asked, exasperated.

Rebecca’s voice was shaky. “They just sent another message. They know we’re here.”

Theo’s heart sank as Marcus’s expression darkened.

“What does it say?” Marcus asked.

Rebecca hesitated, then read aloud:

“Run all you want. We’ll always find you.”

The room fell silent, the weight of the words pressing down on them.

Marcus exhaled slowly, his voice calm but steely. “They’re testing us. Trying to scare us into making a mistake.”

Theo’s jaw tightened. “What do we do now?”

Marcus turned to him, his eyes sharp. “We fight back.”