Aiden Knight's POV
The phone call with Victor ends just as Clara processes the weight of my words. Her face has gone pale, and she's gripping the back of my couch like it's the only thing keeping her upright.
"You're really going to announce your identity publicly?" Her voice barely rises above a whisper. "Aiden, that's suicide. The families who have enemies—"
"Let them come."
My response cuts through her fear like a blade. She stares at me, searching my face for any sign of doubt or hesitation. She finds none.
"You don't understand what you're inviting," she continues, desperation creeping into her tone. "Once they know who you are, where to find you—"
"Clara." I turn from the window to face her fully. "After what you just witnessed, do you really think I'm afraid of what they might do?"
She opens her mouth to argue, then closes it. The memory of Marcus Webb and Chen Liu on their knees is still fresh. Two professional killers rendered helpless in seconds.
