Aiden Knight's POV
I loosen my grip on Marcus's throat but don't release him completely. The name Isabella Reed changes everything, but I'm not naive enough to trust blindly.
"Prove it," I growl.
Marcus reaches slowly into his tactical vest, his movements deliberate and non-threatening. He produces a black communication device with a dragon insignia etched into its surface. The same symbol I remember from my time with Dragon's Shadow.
"Authorization code Delta-Seven-Seven-Alpha," he rasps. "Operation Crimson Phoenix. Isabella Reed, Director of Special Operations."
The codes are correct. Only someone with highest-level clearance would know them.
I release his throat and step back. "Why is Isabella looking for me?"
Marcus rubs his neck, wincing. "She's been tracking your activities since Everbrook City. The incident with the Jin family massacre. Your confrontation with the Wu family. The body count you've been leaving behind."
"And?"
