Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline while rain streaked across the glass like tears.

Julian stood near the desk without offering her a seat.

Up close, he looked older than she first realized—not in years, but in exhaustion.

Like a man who had buried pieces of himself long ago and never bothered digging them back up.

“You saved my life,” he said.

Elena folded her arms tightly.

“I only told you what I saw.”

“That’s not the same thing.”

Silence stretched between them.

Julian studied her carefully.

“Most people in that room would have let me drink it.”

“Most people in that room are afraid of you.”

“And you aren’t?”

Elena laughed once under her breath.

“I’m terrified of you.”

For the first time that night, something almost human crossed Julian’s face.

Then the office door opened violently.

A man in a dark suit stepped inside.

Mid-fifties.

Scar beneath one eye.

Gun visible beneath his jacket.

“Mercer disappeared,” he said immediately.

“Security lost him in the garage.”

Julian’s expression darkened.

“Find him.”

The man nodded once before leaving.

Elena exhaled slowly.

“I should go.”

“No.”

The single word froze her in place.

Julian walked toward the window.

“Grant Mercer doesn’t poison people personally unless he’s desperate.”

“That means tonight mattered.”

“To you?”

“To someone above me.”

Elena frowned.

“I thought there was nobody above you.”

Julian stared out at the city lights.

“That’s what I wanted people to believe.”

A chill moved through her.

Then Julian turned back toward her.

“Until Mercer is found,” he said calmly, “you stay where I can protect you.”

Elena’s eyes widened.

“Protect me?”

“He saw you warn me.”

“I don’t need protection.”

“You just became the only witness in an attempted assassination involving half the city’s political elite,” Julian replied softly.

“You absolutely need protection.”

Elena opened her mouth to argue—

Then the lights went out.

Gunshots exploded downstairs.

Three rapid blasts.

Screams followed immediately.

Julian moved faster than Elena thought possible.

He grabbed her arm, shoved her behind the desk, and pulled a handgun from beneath his jacket in one smooth motion.

“Stay down,” he ordered.

Heavy footsteps thundered outside the office door.

Then someone started shooting through the walls.

PART 3 — THE MAN EVERYONE FEARED

The attack lasted less than four minutes.

By the time silence returned, three armed men were dead in the hallway outside Julian’s office.

Elena sat on the floor trembling beside the overturned desk while Julian reloaded his pistol with terrifying calm.

She stared at him in disbelief.

“You killed them.”

“They were trying to kill you.”

The words hit harder than the gunfire.

Julian offered her his hand.