18
~Alex's POV
As soon as I climbed into the SUV, Luca shut the door behind me with his usual efficiency and rounded the vehicle to the driver's side. The engine roared to life, and we started heading back toward the penthouse. I had barely settled into my seat when my phone vibrated in my pocket.
I pulled it out and glanced at the screen. The number was unfamiliar, but something about it made my instincts kick in. I answered.
"This is Alex," I said, my tone flat but commanding.
"Alpha Alex," came a heavily accented voice from the other end of the line. "This is Khalid. I'm calling on behalf of Sheikh Hassan."
I leaned forward slightly, my interest piqued. Sheikh Hassan was a known arms dealer, deeply entrenched in the underworld of the Middle East. If he was reaching out, it had to be something significant.
"Go on," I said, keeping my tone measured.
