The wind outside Tory's house shifted… cold, sharp, carrying the distant sound of men moving through the yard.
Ryan tightened his grip on Aec, pulling him closer, guiding Maxie deeper into the shadows behind the house. His senses were razor-sharp, watching every flicker of movement.
Inside, Victor Langley stepped into the living room like he owned it.
Tory stood completely still, hands raised slightly, face unnervingly calm.
"Woah, Dad," he said carefully, "you're… in my house."
Victor didn't spare him a glance at first. His eyes scanned the room like a predator cataloguing its prey… calculating, patient.
"Where is he?" Victor asked, voice quiet but slicing through the silence.
Tory blinked. "Who?"
Victor lifted his gaze, danger crackling in the air.
"Aec," he said slowly. "He came here. I know he did. My men tracked him to this street."
Tory swallowed, but his voice remained steady. "I haven't seen him, apart from the time I dropped him at the hospital."
