Victoria's luxury sedan pulled smoothly through increasingly wealthy neighborhoods, morning light sharpening into late morning as they drove toward the exclusive district where Catherine's estate waited.
Massive estates began appearing... separated by acres of grounds, surrounded by walls that spoke not of wealth but of power and the necessity to defend it.
Each property was a statement: We belong to a world you cannot enter uninvited.
Alex settled into the passenger seat, eyes on the printed report instead of the passing streets.
This was the security briefing for Victoria's manor... delivered barely thirty minutes ago... no small feat, considering getting accurate security details on someone tied to House Blackwood bordered on impossible.
Alex paused and glanced into the side mirror.
A black SUV followed at a comfortable distance... silent, unremarkable to anyone else.
Viktor and his team.
Not hovering.
Just there.
