Moments later,

Author

The safehouse was underground. Three levels below a laundromat that smelled of detergent and decay. Aria sat at the metal table, reviewing raid footage on a portable screen. Scorpio was at the door, carving something into the frame with his thumbnail.

The knock was two short, one long. Scorpio's hand went to his blade. Aria didn't look up.

"It's Leo," she said.

"How do you know?"

"He knocks like he's reporting for duty."

The door opened. Leontius Vale filled the frame. Six-four. Blond. The kind of face that made people trust him before he spoke. He wore a coat that cost more than most apartments and moved...