The cold, sharp dawn over Veridia offered no comfort as the black convoy sped toward the private airport. Inside the lead vehicle, Aria Vance was moving with a stiffness that betrayed her intense internal discipline. The makeshift bandage she had applied to the bullet wound in her lower abdomen did little more than stop the flow. Every slight acceleration or turn of the car sent a dull, heavy ache through her core, demanding attention she refused to give. She kept her face empty of pain, the soldier's mask firmly in place.
They bypassed the public terminals, heading straight for the waiting private plane. Elias Vance sat beside her, his jaw tight, his eyes constantly flicking toward her wound. Zara and Marcus sat opposite, their gear packed. The residue of adrenaline from the mission still hummed beneath the surface.
Inside the cabin, Zara faced Aria, her expression tight with concern. "Commander, I hope you are okay."
Aria leaned her head back against the seat. "I'm fine," she replied, her voice rough. The simple lie was a necessary reflex, required to maintain team morale and the chain of command.
The flight back to the U.S. was quiet, heavy with the aftermath of the violence and the shared, brutal success. Hours later, they landed and were driven immediately to the Headquarters compound, an anonymous complex of high-security buildings hidden deep in the hills.
Aria and Elias walked straight to Colonel Thaddeus Cole's office. Aria held the evidence drive, her fingers tightening around the cold plastic. They stood before the Colonel, a man whose presence commanded immediate silence, the history of his service etched into the severity of his gaze.
Aria snapped a crisp salute. Elias followed suit.
"Report," Colonel Cole said, his voice flat, his gaze resting briefly on the faint, dark stain seeping through the fabric at Aria's hip.
Aria bypassed the mission overview. Gallo neutralized. Network assets secured. Logistical chain severed. She placed the encrypted drive on his desk. "All evidence is here, Colonel."
Cole nodded once, acknowledging the salute with a slight tilt of his head.
"Aria," he instructed, his tone shifting. You will immediately meet with the private field doctor on level three. Get that wound properly treated, and then you are to take mandated rest. Elias, debrief logistics with Major Grant. Dismissed."
Aria and Elias executed a final salute and left the office. Elias guided Aria down the corridor, supporting her with a subtle hand on her back.
Aria and Elias reached the medical bay on level three. It was sterile, quiet, and equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, designed for immediate field trauma. A handsome man in scrubs, Doctor David, immediately approached them, a warm smile easing the tension in the room.
Doctor David was not a stranger; he was a close friend and one of the few people outside the firm who understood Aria's true identity.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the Commander herself," Doctor David said, his voice light and teasing, a sharp contrast to the medical setting. Welcome back. I see you can't go a week without needing a new accessory. He winked at Elias.
"David," Aria replied, a flicker of genuine amusement crossing her face. Always a pleasure. Try to keep the needle straight this time.
"No promises," he joked. Now, Commander, lay down. Let's see what new hole you've added to the collection.
Aria moved stiffly onto the examination table. Elias pulled a chair close, his gaze fixed on her.
"The Colonel needs me to debrief," Elias said, his voice low with reluctance. "I don't want to leave you."
"Go," Aria ordered gently, but firmly. You know how Major Grant gets. I'm with David. I'm fine."
Elias nodded, placing a protective hand on her shoulder before leaving.
Doctor David carefully cut away the remains of the blood-soaked fabric and the makeshift bandage, examining the bullet entry point near her lower abdomen.
It's clean, thankfully, but deep. You got lucky, Commander. Another millimeter and this would be a much different conversation, David said, his tone turning clinical. He injected a local anesthetic, explaining every move as he worked. So, tell me, was the target worth this much trouble? Did you at least get a decent souvenir?
"A very satisfying scream," Aria replied, looking at the ceiling. And the information we needed. The trouble was worth the solution.
That's my girl. Always optimizing for efficiency, David chuckled. He began the delicate process of cleaning and suturing the deep wound. Aria winced only once, immediately locking down the muscles around the pain.
"I heard about your big corporate win," David continued, trying to distract her. You took over some singer's tour? That must be a massive culture shock, moving from Gallo's world to glitter and fame.
It's simply another security contract, David. High visibility, low danger, Aria dismissed. The difference is the exposure. Now, stitch faster. I need to get back to managing the corporate chaos.
David finished the final suture, dressing the wound cleanly. Ten days. You stay off your feet. No climbing, no shooting, no commanding. Just corporate chaos from a chair. Understood?"
"Understood," Aria affirmed, already sitting up, despite the sharp protest from her stitched side.
Meanwhile, Jax Ryland was facing a different kind of pressure: the relentless grind of public life.
At 8:00 AM, Jax was on the set for the Ascend Communications commercial shoot, running on the same few hours of sleep he'd managed since Aria disappeared. The studio was a whirlwind of lights, cameras, and hyperefficient crew members. The concept was slick: Aether performs an intimate, unplugged session, their music flowing seamlessly through the new Aura Model X phone to a beautiful female model who represents the devoted, connected fan.
Silas Trent, their manager, was everywhere, ensuring the schedule ran precisely.
"Rhys, keep your eyes on the camera, not the model. Kellan, we need more intensity in the chorus! Jax, they need that money shot, lean into the phone!
Jax hit his marks flawlessly. He performed the short acoustic set with intense focus, his voice and guitar work perfect. The female model, hired for her striking looks and professional demeanor, was undeniably gorgeous. She hit her marks, smiling and reacting to the music as if enchanted.
But as Jax leaned in for the final, intimate shot, the one meant to sell the emotional connection, he saw not the model's practiced, perfect admiration, but the cold, victorious challenge in Aria Vance's eyes. The image of the woman in the boardroom, not the one in the red dress, invaded his performance. Why couldn't he get the image of her out of his head? That night had been intoxicating.
The director called 'Cut!' and Jax immediately walked off set, leaving Rhys and Kellan to do the final shots.
"Jax, where are you going?" Silas asked, his face tight with annoyance.
"I need air," Jax replied, not stopping. He pulled out his phone and stared at the empty contact for Elias Vance. He had been unable to get through for nearly seventy-two hours. He tried the corporate line for Vance Global; a smooth, impersonal voice informed him that Ms. Vance was currently engaged in a deep-cover logistical operation and all communication was restricted.
His frustration mounted, hardening into a deep, possessive resolve.
By 2:00 PM, the band was whisked away for their live interview with the high-profile media outlet, The Late Night Music Buzz. The stage was colorful, the host was jovial, and the audience was packed with screaming fans who had won tickets.
The interview started innocently, focusing on the massive commercial success of the Gucci Ambassadorship and the Ascend partnership.
"The Aether Army is celebrating a total takeover!" the host, Lisa, announced brightly. But let's be honest, all that success means the pressure is on. Your fans want to know, Jax, Kellan, Rhys, Nick, who's keeping your hearts busy? Any special ladies, or are you all married to music?
Rhys, the band's designated charmer, took the lead, leaning into the camera with a practiced, easy smile.
"Lisa, you know the answer to that," Rhys said smoothly. Our love is unconditional, and it's directed entirely toward the Aether Army. Our focus right now is rehearsing the Eclipse Tour and giving our fans the biggest show they've ever seen. We are married to music, the stage, and the studio.
Kellan chimed in with a philosophical touch. It's the truth. When you're constantly writing and touring, there's no room for anything else. We've created our own family here.
The host turned to Jax, her smile knowing. But you, Jax, you're the enigmatic leader. The internet explodes every time you're seen with a female co-star or a fashion model. What's the real story? Are you looking for a muse, or are you focused on that new album that's going to break the world?
Jax leaned forward, his eyes suddenly intense. He didn't offer a practiced celebrity smile; he offered a genuine statement of his current truth.
The real story is that the life we live is demanding. It's hard to find someone who understands the complexity of our world and respects the need for discretion, Jax said, his gaze completely focused. But I'm not looking for a muse. I'm looking for a partner. Someone who's a challenge, who has their own power. When that person appears, the world will change. But until then, we are focused on the new album. It's coming, and it's the darkest, most intense thing we've ever done.
The host, surprised by his depth, quickly pivoted, asking only a few vague questions about the upcoming album before ending the segment, leaving the audience cheering.
The fans watching online immediately exploded with speculation.
AetherFanatic: OMG! Jax Ryland is looking for a partner, a challenge! Who is this mysterious woman? That was intense!
MusicNewsDaily: Jax is completely single and looking for a power match! The music industry is on notice!
The success of the Ascend campaign was immediate and overwhelming.
Online, the Aether Army had erupted with enthusiasm, validating Talia Hayes's strategy completely.
Fan Comment: I just ordered the Aura Model X! The official Aether phone! Taking a sick day just to wait for the delivery! #AetherArmy
TechGeek: Ascend's stock is up 15 points. This is not marketing; this is a cultural movement. Zenith Records is untouchable.
Talia Hayes and her team at Ascend Communications were celebrating their massive, immediate success with a late dinner. The pre-orders for the Aura Model X were unprecedented, confirming the power of the Aether alliance. Talia, filled with pride, pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message to Elias Vance, wanting to share the good news with Aria. She knew Aria was on a mission.
Talia's Text: Huge success! Aura Model X is selling out! Call me when you land. Tell Aria she's brilliant.
She knew the text wouldn't go through. Aria's phone would be off, a standard procedure for their security work. Talia was used to the black holes in Aria's schedule.
Late that afternoon, after the rehearsal, Jax returned to his office. He had a brief meeting with Silas, who confirmed the highly positive fan reaction to the interview and the successful commercial shoot.
Jax's frustration, however, was boiling over. He had been denied any information on the "lead operative" for the tour. He opened the customs contract Aria Vance had signed, looking for a way to assert his authority.
He focused on the only official, publicly listed contact for the Vance Global security contract: the Vice President, Michael Johnson.
Jax typed out a short, cold message to Michael Johnson's corporate email:
"Mr. Johnson. I require an immediate status update on the Lead Operative assigned to the Eclipse Tour. Our financial commitment necessitates full transparency regarding our operational management. Provide a time and date for a meeting with the designated Vance Global field commander immediately. This is a CEO's priority. Jax Ryland, Zenith Publishing."
He hit send, using his financial power as his final weapon against the complete silence.
Within minutes, his secured corporate phone buzzed. The reply was professionally evasive and entirely useless. It was from Michael Johnson, the Vice President, who had no idea where his CEO was.
"Mr. Ryland. Thank you for your inquiry. The designated Vance Global operative is currently engaged in high-level strategic planning and is out of communication. The timing of their return is classified. Any operational meetings will be set upon their return. Vance Global assures you the security of the Eclipse Tour is their priority. We will introduce you to the designated Commander as soon as they are available. Michael Johnson, VP, Vance Global.
Jax's jaw tightened. He was completely shut out.
He looked out at the New York skyline. The glittering display of his power suddenly felt hollow. He had everything the world offered, yet the only woman who mattered was unreachable, and entirely outside his control.
Jax knew he had to keep up the relentless celebrity schedule, but beneath the perfect public facade, his focus had narrowed to a singular point: the moment that Vance Global field commander was available. He was not waiting for an introduction; he was waiting for the final move in his personal war to win Aria Vance.