The moment Adrian summoned them into his study, the atmosphere changed.
They stood right in front of Adrian, shoulders squared, eyes forward, too still, too stiff. Not like soldiers awaiting orders.
Like children bracing for punishment.
The study itself was dim, heavy with dark wood and quiet menace. Floor-to-ceiling shelves loomed behind Adrian's chair, filled with books no one had ever seen him read and secrets no one dared ask about.
Adrian Blake sat. Not relaxed. Not tense.
Still.
Lucas lounged opposite him, one ankle resting over his knee, posture careless in a way that was almost disrespectful, but only almost. He alone could get away with it.
Stephen stood to the side, tablet already in hand.
Silence stretched.
Stephen broke it first.
"Where's the CCTV footage?"
One of the men stepped forward quickly, holding out a drive like an offering. Stephen took it, connected it to the laptop on Adrian's desk, and stepped aside.
No one spoke as the screen flickered to life.
