Three days after Alexander declared war on The Vanguard, Emily woke to find him standing by the windows, phone pressed to his ear, speaking in the clipped tones he used when orchestrating something complex and dangerous.
"I want triple security," he said. "No, quadruple it. I don't care about the cost. Every entrance, every exit, every window. And background checks on everyone—cleaning staff, delivery people, everyone who comes within a hundred feet of this building."
He ended the call and turned to find Emily watching him. The dark circles under his eyes told her he hadn't slept.
"You're expecting something," she said quietly.
"I'm preparing for something." Alexander moved to the bed, sitting beside her. "My mother didn't get where she is by accepting defiance gracefully. She'll test us. Push boundaries. See if my declaration of war was genuine or just emotional posturing."
"How will she test us?"
