Cynthia Brooks didn't mean to notice.
At first, it was just a feeling—the kind that prickled at the back of her neck when someone was watching too closely or listening a little too carefully.
She was seated at the small desk in the inner lounge, sorting through documents Alexander had asked her to review. The penthouse was quieter than usual. Alexander had stepped into a private meeting call in his office, the door closed but not locked.
That was when Ethan walked in.
"Morning," he said brightly, a little too brightly.
Cynthia looked up. "Oh—hi. I didn't realize you'd be here today."
He smiled. "Mr. Voss asked me to stop by. Said there were some files he needed transferred."
She nodded slowly. "He didn't mention it to me."
Ethan shrugged easily. "Last-minute thing, I guess."
Alexander Voss didn't do last-minute—not without informing everyone involved.
Cynthia watched as Ethan set his laptop on the counter, fingers moving quickly as he plugged in a flash drive. A small one. Black. Unmarked.
Her stomach tightened.
"Is that… new?" she asked, gesturing casually.
Ethan didn't look up. "What?"
"The flash drive."
"Oh. Yeah," he said quickly. "Company-issued."
Cynthia hummed softly, pretending to return to her papers. But her eyes kept flicking back to him.
He moved like he belonged there—too comfortable, too familiar for someone who was still new. He knew where things were. Which cabinets to open. Which systems "You just seem very… used to his routines."
He chuckled. "Guess I'm a fast learner."
Maybe.
Or maybe not.
She watched him type, his screen angled away from her. She couldn't see what he was accessing, only that his expression was intensely focused—jaw tight, eyes sharp. Not nervous. Controlled.
Too controlled.
From the hallway, the office door opened.
Alexander stepped out.
Ethan straightened immediately. "Sir. I was just transferring the archived security logs like you asked."
Alexander's gaze snapped to the flash drive.
"I didn't ask for that," he said calmly.
The room went very still.
Ethan blinked. "You—uh—you mentioned it in your email."
"I didn't send any emails today," Alexander replied, his tone even but cold.
Cynthia felt the tension spike.
Ethan laughed nervously. "Must've been an automated system message. I'll double-check."
"Remove the drive," Alexander said.
Ethan hesitated.
Just a beat too long.
Then he complied, unplugging it and slipping it into his pocket. "Of course."
Alexander stepped closer. "What exactly were you transferring?"
"Old building access records," Ethan said smoothly. "Nothing sensitive."
Alexander studied him. "Those files are encrypted."
"Yes, sir," Ethan replied quickly. "I have clearance."
Alexander's eyes flicked to Cynthia for the briefest moment.
Then back to Ethan.
"Leave the drive," Alexander said.
Ethan's smile faltered. "Sir?"
"The drive," Alexander repeated. "On the table."
Silence.
Slowly, Ethan placed it down.
Alexander picked it up, turning it over once, then handed it to Cynthia. "Hold onto this."
Cynthia took it, her fingers cold.
"You're dismissed for today," Alexander said to Ethan. "We'll talk later."
Ethan nodded, masking whatever crossed his face behind polite professionalism. "Of course. See you tomorrow."
When the door closed behind him, the penthouse felt heavier.
Alexander exhaled slowly.
"That was weird," Cynthia said quietly.
"Yes," Alexander replied. "It was."
She hesitated. "Do you think he—"
"I don't think," Alexander interrupted. "I observe."
He turned to her. "Did you notice anything else?"
She nodded slowly. "He knew things he shouldn't. He moved like he'd been here before. And that flash drive…"
Alexander's expression darkened. "Lydia West found a similar one."
Cynthia's breath caught.
"So… Ethan could be—"
"A messenger," Alexander finished. "Or bait."
He took the drive from her hand. "Either way, he's being watched now."
Her voice dropped. "Does he know?"
Alexander's lips curved slightly. "He will."
A quiet alarm chimed on Alexander's phone.
He checked it, then swore under his breath.
"What is it?" Cynthia asked.
"He just sent a location ping," Alexander said. "To someone who shouldn't have it."
Her heart raced. "So he is involved."
"Yes," Alexander said grimly. "But now I know how."
He looked at her, eyes serious. "Cynthia, whatever happens next—you stay close to me. No wandering. No curiosity."
She met his gaze. "I'm not scared of the truth."
"You should be," he replied softly. "Because now, it's moving."
Outside, the city buzzed on, unaware that something dangerous had just slipped into motion.
And this time, the threat wasn't knocking at the door.
It already had a key.