Angel's eyes flickered back to him when he suddenly leaned back in his chair, tone shifting from playful to sharp.

"Release the files."

She blinked, confused. "Files?"

"The Kane files," he said, that small grin still on his face but his eyes serious now.

Angel stilled for a second before realization hit her. "You're serious."

"Dead serious," Xavier said, rolling his shoulders and standing up. "I'm tired of seeing the same boring headlines—'The city burns,' 'Corruption deepens,' blah blah blah. Let's give 'em something new to talk about." He smirked. "Media should start paying me at this point. I keep their whole industry breathing."

Angel hesitated, then sighed softly, pulling up her terminal. "You know once this goes out, there's no pulling it back."

"Good," he said. "Let it echo."

She didn't say another word. Within seconds, lines of encrypted data streamed across her holographic screens, transferring through hidden nodes. Xavier watched silently, arms crossed, until she finally looked up and nodded.

"It's done."

He gave her a faint smile. "Good work, Angel. Now go get some rest before you start glowing from the monitor light."

She chuckled softly. "You never stop, do you?"

"Wouldn't be me if I did."

They exchanged their usual quiet goodbyes — her "Take care, idiot," and his lazy "Yeah, yeah, night, beautiful" — and then the call faded out.

Xavier tossed his holo-device on the bed, exhaled, and flopped backward onto the mattress, eyes on the ceiling. The music was still playing low, the city lights from outside brushing against his wall.

He grabbed his phone and called Viola.

The line connected after a few rings, and her irritated voice came through instantly. "What the hell do you want, Xavier?"

He grinned. "How's the package?"

Viola sighed audibly. "He's locked in a freezer. Still breathing, unfortunately."

"Perfect," Xavier said as he sat up, already reaching for his jacket. "Keep everything ready. I'll be there in a few."

"Don't take your sweet time," she muttered.

He smirked, "Wouldn't dream of it."

Then he hung up, the faint smirk still on his face as he got up, ready for whatever came next.

Xavier stepped out of the elevator, the faint hum of the city night echoing through the lobby. He walked out casually, slipped on his gloves, and jumped on his bike. The engine growled to life, cold and hungry. He revved it once, visor down, and disappeared into the quiet street like a shadow slicing through fog.

By the time he returned, the sun was already breaking over the skyline. His jacket was gone, his face clean, and he was wearing a fresh set of clothes—no trace of where he'd been or what he'd done. He went straight for the shower, letting the water run down until the faint smell of smoke and iron faded off him.

When he stepped out, towel over his head, Lilia was already in the kitchen scrolling through something on her holo, and Lyra was setting her mug down, yawning. They looked up as Xavier passed by.

"Breakfast at Seraphina's?" he asked casually, rubbing the back of his neck.

Lilia raised a brow. "You're actually joining us?"

"Don't make a big deal out of it," he said, already heading to the elevator.

For the first time in a while, the three of them sat together on the 10th floor, the open view of the city stretching behind them. The place smelled like roasted herbs and butter—Seraphina herself had come out when she saw Xavier and gave him her usual "special" treatment: plates that didn't even appear on the public menu.

Lilia and Lyra ate quietly, occasionally glancing at the massive news screen playing on the far wall. The anchor's voice droned on—until her tone suddenly sharpened.

"Breaking news: body parts are being discovered all across the city. Authorities say an unidentified individual left a note outside the precinct—alongside… what appears to be a severed small and large intestine with guts and ball attached to a hard dick."

Lilia froze mid-bite, Lyra's fork clinked against her plate. The anchor continued, "The note read, 'Find all my parts to find out who I am.' Since the discovery, police have found a right leg and left arm in different sectors. Just moments ago, another find was reported—what seems to be a ripped upper torso recovered near the—"

The footage cut to a live scene. Officers stood behind yellow tape, drones hovering over what was clearly a mangled chunk of something human.

Lilia's face twisted slightly. Lyra turned her gaze away.

And Xavier—he just leaned back in his chair, calmly savoring his breakfast. He didn't even look up, just muttered, "Guess the city finally found something to burn about. But man, they are so slow…" before going back to slicing into his meal, completely unbothered by the horror flickering on the screen beside him.

After breakfast, Lilia and Lyra headed out together, leaving Xavier at the table. He leaned back, watching them disappear into the elevator before calling out, "I will discuss the monthly bill with Seraphina."

They didn't question it. They never did.

Once the floor was quiet, Xavier walked around the counter, hands in his pockets, and slipped through the kitchen door. The smell of spices and smoke still lingered in the air. Seraphina stood near the counter, already watching him, that small, knowing smirk tugging at her lips.

"Monthly bill, huh?" she said softly, her tone giving away what she already knew wasn't business.

Xavier didn't bother replying.

Seraphina grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward the back storeroom, locking the door behind them. The small space was dimly lit, lined with shelves and a few old futons stacked in the corner—something she clearly hadn't just "prepared" for storage.

Before Xavier could say anything, Seraphina pressed him against the wall and kissed him hard. It wasn't slow or hesitant — it was the kind that made you forget why you even came here.

Xavier slid his hands around her waist, pulling her closer, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. Her breath hitched when his hands moved up her back, and she whispered, half teasing, half breathless, "So that's how you pay your bills now?"

"Only when the food's good," he said, smirking against her lips.

Seraphina chuckled, kissed him again, slower this time, her fingers tracing his jaw before resting against his chest. "You're so naughty, Xavier."

"And you're addicted," he muttered back, grinning.

She turned, pressed against him, and kissed him without hesitation. Xavier responded the same way—rough, unfiltered, like something long overdue. The air between them burned hotter with every touch until the only sound left in that small room was quiet laughter, mixed with low breaths and the rustle of fabric.

When the door finally opened again much later, Seraphina's hair was a little messy, Xavier's shirt untucked. He left first, casual as ever, straightening his collar like nothing happened. Seraphina leaned on the doorframe, watching him go with that same sly grin.

"Guess I'll add this to your bill too," she said.

Xavier chuckled, not even turning around. "Charge it under miscellaneous."

Seraphina chuckled, kissed him, and then asked, "Are you going to come tonight. I will keep things ready."

"Yeah. Of course, I will. I always will."

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