The ride back to headquarters was silent.
Neither Zyla nor Jarrick spoke.
Neither Blaze nor Blizzard spoke.
The events of the evening hung heavily over all four of them.
The warehouse deal had failed.
Belizaire was furious.
And everyone knew exactly who would be blamed.
A locator beacon flashed on their navigation systems.
UNKNOWN LOCATION The headquarters appeared ahead.
Cold.
Silent.
Unwelcoming.
Even after all these years, it still felt more like a prison than a workplace.
As they approached the office door, a familiar voice echoed from within.
“I know.
I apologize for their incompetence, Mr.
Belizaire.” The siblings froze.
Blaze and Blizzard exchanged nervous looks.
The Savant.
He was already speaking with Belizaire.
That was not a good sign.
“I promise it won’t happen again.” Zyla pushed the door open.
The office was almost empty.
Concrete walls.
A desk.
A phone.
Nothing else.
The Savant sat behind the desk, speaking into a futuristic communicator.
His face remained hidden in shadow.
Only his voice filled the room.
“Wait.
You can’t just—” The Savant stopped.
Listening.
His expression slowly changed.
Not to anger.
To amusement.
“I understand your concern.” A smile appeared.
Small.
Dangerous.
“If you want to back out of our deal, you may do so.” Zyla immediately looked worried.
Jarrick stopped smiling.
Because they both knew what came next.
The Savant never made threats directly.
He didn’t need to.
“However…” The smile widened.
“I cannot promise that Adriana and little Sylvia will be happy about it.” Silence.
The room grew cold.
“At least they won’t be after getting a visit from my men.” Jarrick felt his stomach tighten.
Even after years working for the Organization— Moments like this still bothered him.
“That’s what I thought.” The Savant leaned back in his chair.
“Thank you for your time.” A pause.
“I look forward to your future business.” The call ended.
SPAT!
The phone slammed into its cradle.
For several seconds— Nobody moved.
“We’re sorry.” Zyla stepped forward.
“We made mistakes during the transaction, but one of Belizaire’s men called Jarrick a cripple and you know how that affects him.” “Please, sir—” Even Blizzard sounded nervous.
The Savant didn’t answer.
Instead— He pressed a button hidden beneath the desk.
BLEEP Zyla’s blood ran cold.
Because she knew exactly what that button did.