In Rome, Alexander stepped into the dimly lit restaurant as instructed.

A woman waited at the back booth, sipping wine. Hair slicked back. Eyes cold.

The fixer.

“Ethan sent you?” he asked.

“No,” she said. “I sent myself.”

She slid a flash drive across the table.

“What is it?”

“Everything Ethan plans to do next. Every route. Every target.”

“And the catch?”

She smiled.

“You help us isolate Sophie. Remove her from Phoenix leadership under the guise of saving the brand. You’ll be made chairman. International control.”

Alexander leaned back.

“You think I’d sell her out?”

“I think you love her too much to watch her go down with the...