The penthouse felt different when Brevis returned.
The tension that had filled the air earlier hadn't disappeared—it had only grown heavier.
Luna stood near the window again, her arms folded as she stared at the city.
She hadn't moved much since Brevis left.
The elevator doors opened behind her.
She didn't turn.
"Let me guess," she said quietly.
"You met him."
Brevis walked into the room slowly.
"Yes."
Luna closed her eyes briefly.
"And?"
Brevis removed his coat.
"He's exactly what you described."
"Dangerous?"
"Confident."
Luna turned around.
"And what did he want?"
Brevis walked toward the kitchen counter and poured himself a glass of water.
"You."
Luna didn't look surprised.
"Of course."
Brevis studied her expression.
"He says you belong to him."
Luna's face hardened immediately.
"I don't belong to anyone."
"That's what I thought."
Brevis leaned against the counter.
"He also said something else."
Luna waited.
"That running wouldn't save you."
A quiet silence settled between them.
Luna walked toward the couch slowly and sat down.
"Adrian always says things like that."
"You seem very calm about it."
"I'm not calm."
Brevis watched her carefully.
"You're scared."
Luna looked up sharply.
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't need to."
For a moment they stared at each other.
Then Luna looked away.
"You shouldn't get involved in this."
Brevis smirked faintly.
"You keep saying that."
"Because it keeps being true."
Brevis walked closer.
"But now Adrian walked into my club."
"That was his choice."
"No."
Brevis stopped in front of her.
"That became my problem."
Luna sighed.
"You really enjoy complicated situations."
Brevis shrugged.
"I enjoy interesting people."
"That's a terrible personality trait."
Brevis laughed quietly.
"Probably."
He sat down across from her.
"So tell me something."
"What?"
"What exactly did you steal from Adrian?"
Luna hesitated.
Then she spoke slowly.
"The list I told you about."
Brevis frowned slightly.
"The blackmail list?"
"Yes."
"That belonged to Adrian?"
"Partially."
Brevis leaned back.
"Explain."
Luna ran a hand through her hair.
"The Valen Syndicate collected the list."
Brevis nodded.
"I figured that much."
"But Adrian helped create it."
Brevis's eyes sharpened.
"He was working with them?"
"Yes."
"And you stole it."
"Yes."
Brevis studied her carefully.
"You betrayed him."
"That's one way to say it."
"Why?"
Luna's expression darkened slightly.
"Because of what they planned to do with the list."
Brevis waited.
"They were going to destroy people with it," Luna said quietly.
"Politicians… journalists… anyone who stood in their way."
Brevis shrugged slightly.
"That sounds like normal criminal behavior."
"It wasn't that simple."
"Then what was it?"
Luna hesitated again.
Then she said something surprising.
"My father's name was on the list."
Brevis froze slightly.
"And?"
"They were going to kill him."
The room fell silent.
Brevis slowly leaned forward.
"So you stole the list to protect him."
"Yes."
Brevis nodded slowly.
"That explains the motivation."
"But it didn't work."
Brevis frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Luna's voice became quieter.
"My father died anyway."
Brevis didn't speak.
"They found him before I could reach him."
For the first time since Brevis had known her…
Luna looked genuinely hurt.
Not scared.
Not defensive.
Just… tired.
Brevis looked at her for a long moment.
Then he spoke softly.
"So now Adrian wants revenge."
"Yes."
Brevis stood up and walked toward the window.
The city looked calm outside.
But he knew better.
Danger was already moving through Nocturne.
"You should still leave," Luna said.
Brevis didn't turn around.
"No."
"Brevis—"
"You keep suggesting that."
"Because this is my mess."
Brevis finally looked back at her.
"Adrian walked into my city."
"That doesn't mean you have to fight him."
Brevis smiled faintly.
"Actually… it does."
Luna stood up.
"You're stubborn."
"That's been mentioned."
Luna stepped closer.
"You don't understand Adrian."
"And you don't understand me."
Luna stopped in front of him.
Their eyes locked.
"Then explain."
Brevis's voice was calm.
"When someone threatens something in my city…"
He paused.
"I respond."
"And I'm the 'something' now?"
Brevis looked at her quietly.
"Yes."
Luna stared at him.
For a moment she didn't know what to say.
Brevis stepped slightly closer.
"You brought chaos into Nocturne."
"That wasn't my intention."
"Too late."
Luna shook her head slowly.
"You're unbelievable."
Brevis smiled.
"You're still here."
Before Luna could reply—
Brevis's phone rang again.
He answered quickly.
"Yes."
One of his guards spoke urgently.
"Sir… Adrian just left Obsidian."
Brevis frowned slightly.
"Where is he going?"
There was a pause.
Then the guard answered.
"Your penthouse."
Luna's eyes widened.
"What?"
Brevis's expression darkened immediately.
"How close?"
"Ten minutes."
Brevis ended the call.
Luna stepped back.
"He's coming here."
"Yes."
"I told you he would."
Brevis walked calmly toward the elevator.
"What are you doing?" Luna asked.
"Meeting him."
"Brevis, no."
Brevis looked at her.
"Stay here."
"That's exactly what Adrian expects."
Brevis's lips curved slightly.
"Good."
Luna crossed her arms.
"You're insane."
Brevis pressed the elevator button.
"That's still up for debate."
The doors opened.
Just before stepping inside, Brevis looked at her again.
"You said Adrian trained you."
"Yes."
Brevis smiled faintly.
"Then this should be interesting."
The elevator doors closed.
Luna stood alone in the penthouse.
Her heart beat slightly faster now.
Because she knew something Brevis didn't.
Adrian Kross didn't come to places like this to talk.
He came to take control.
And in a few minutes…
Two of the most dangerous men in her life would be standing face to face again.
This time—
There would be no calm conversation.
Only war.