The next morning—
Everything changed.
Not emotionally.
Strategically.
Emily walked into the war room.
Not as someone being protected.
But as someone making decisions.
"We stop reacting," she said.
"We stop chasing."
Alexander watched her.
Interested.
"And?"
Emily pointed at the map.
Multiple hotel locations.
Global network.
"He's targeting you."
A pause.
"So we target something he can't predict."
Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What is that?"
Emily looked at him.
Then said one word:
"Me."