The black sedan purred softly, gliding away from the Purnas Mansion. In the back seat, Jack was a slumped form, deep in a comfortable sleep, his soft breathing a rhythmic counterpoint to the hum of the engine. Beside him, Richard sat, outwardly composed, his new, pale features illuminated faintly by the passing streetlights.
Up front, Ciano, Richard's personal security, kept his eyes on the road, but his gaze flickered almost imperceptibly to the rearview mirror. He stole discreet glances at his boss. Ciano prided himself on his observation skills, a honed instinct cultivated over years in dangerous, often bizarre, situations. But something about Richard now… it was different.
