The quiet didn't break.
It shifted.
And that was worse.
Three days after the delayed shipment, another minor disruption surfaced. A licensing renewal—one that had always been routine—was suddenly flagged for "review." No explanation. No formal complaint.
Just delay.
Matthew stood in the study, reading the notification twice.
"They're testing infrastructure," Rafe said.
"Yes."
"But not aggressively."
"No."
Vinny leaned against the desk, arms crossed loosely. "So what is it?"
Matthew's gaze didn't leave the file.
"It's mapping."
Silence thickened.
Rafe nodded slowly. "They're looking for response patterns."
"Yes."
Vinny's jaw tightened slightly. "And what are we giving them?"
"Nothing," Matthew replied evenly. "We don't react."
Downstairs, the nursery felt like another universe.
Amara had discovered her own voice recently. Loud, delighted shrieks that startled even her.
Vinny laughed as she kicked her legs, curls bouncing wildly.
