Morning had already moved forward.
The mansion quiet behind him.
The world outside waiting.
Izana stepped out.
Composed.
Controlled.
But not rushed.
Never rushed.
The car waited at the front.
Black.
Still.
Dante leaned against it.
Arms crossed.
Expression unreadable.
But his eyes—
already saying enough.
A pause.
Then—
"…You're late."
Flat.
Dry.
Izana didn't answer.
Didn't slow.
Didn't stop.
Just walked past him.
The glare came after.
Sharp.
Brief.
Enough.
Dante smirked slightly.
"…Should I reschedule everything?"
A pause.
"…Or is this the new routine?"
Izana opened the car door.
"…Drive."
Low.
Final.
Dante exhaled through his nose.
Amused.
"…That's not an answer."
No response.
Izana got in.
Dante followed.
Driver's seat.
Engine started.
The car pulled away.
Silence filled the space.
Heavy.
Familiar.
Dante glanced at him briefly.
Then back to the road.
"…You look different."
No reply.
Izana's gaze stayed forward.
Still.
Unreadable.
"…Didn't sleep?" Dante added.
A pause.
"…I did."
Quiet.
Short.
Dante's brow lifted slightly.
"…That's new."
Silence again.
Then—
"…I heard."
A shift.
Subtle.
Izana didn't look at him.
But something changed.
Barely.
"…Heard what."
"…That you're going to be a father."
Silence.
Then—
"…Yes."
No denial.
No hesitation.
Just truth.
Dante glanced again.
Longer this time.
Watching him.
"…How far."
"…Seven weeks."
Quiet.
Measured.
But different.
There was something there.
Warmth.
Hidden.
But present.
Dante noticed immediately.
"…Already counting."
No reaction.
Izana's hand rested loosely against his leg.
Still.
"…They're small," he added after a moment.
Dante blinked once.
Not expecting that.
"…Small," he repeated.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…Leah needs rest."
Simple.
Direct.
But the tone—
softened.
Dante exhaled quietly.
Almost a laugh.
"…You're already attached."
Izana didn't deny it.
"…Of course."
Flat.
But certain.
Dante shook his head slightly.
"…You found out yesterday."
"…That doesn't change anything."
Another pause.
"…You've changed."
Silence.
Then—
"…No."
But it wasn't convincing.
Not fully.
Dante smirked faintly.
"…Right."
A beat.
Then—
"…You're talking like an old man already."
Izana's gaze flickered slightly.
Not annoyed.
Just… aware.
"…I'm talking appropriately."
"…About someone who can't even hear you."
A pause.
"…That's irrelevant."
Dante let out a quiet breath.
"…You're gone."
Izana turned slightly.
Just enough.
"…What."
"…You're already gone," Dante repeated.
"…Not here anymore."
Silence stretched.
Then—
"…Drive."
Low.
Controlled.
Dante huffed a small laugh.
"…Touchy."
A pause.
Then—
Izana's voice shifted.
Slightly colder.
"…You're thirty-eight."
Dante blinked.
"…What."
"…Still unmarried."
Flat.
Direct.
Dante scoffed immediately.
"…I've been busy."
"…Doing what."
"…Keeping you alive."
A pause.
"…That's not a life."
Dante smirked faintly.
"…Neither is yours."
Silence.
A beat.
Then—
"…It is now."
Quiet.
Firm.
Dante didn't respond right away.
Just drove.
Watching the road.
Thinking.
"…You're serious," he said after a moment.
"…Yes."
No hesitation.
Dante exhaled slowly.
"…That's dangerous."
Izana didn't ask why.
He already knew.
The car slowed.
The building ahead.
Dark.
Imposing.
Waiting.
Dante parked.
Engine off.
Silence again.
Izana stepped out first.
Instant shift.
Gone was the softness.
Gone was the warmth.
Only control remained.
Only authority.
Dante watched it happen.
That switch.
Clean. Precise.
"…There he is," he muttered under his breath.
Izana didn't respond.
Didn't need to.
They walked inside.
The room was already filled.
Men seated.
Waiting.
Watching.
The moment Izana entered—
everything stilled.
Respect.
Fear.
Both.
He took his seat.
Calm.
Unrushed.
Eyes scanning once.
Taking everything in.
"…Report."
Low.
Immediate.
One of the men leaned forward.
"…The shipment is ready."
"…Routes?"
"…Secured."
"…Risks?"
A pause.
"…Minimal."
Izana's gaze didn't shift.
"…Minimal is not none."
Silence.
The man adjusted slightly.
"…There are… potential interferences."
"…From who."
Another pause.
"…Unknown."
Izana leaned back slightly.
Still calm.
Still controlled.
"…Then remove it."
Simple.
Final.
No room for discussion.
Another voice spoke.
"…The weapons—high-tech models—will arrive by the end of the week."
"…No delays," Izana said.
"…There won't be."
A pause.
"…If there are?"
Silence.
No one answered.
They didn't need to.
They already knew.
Izana stood.
Meeting over.
Just like that.
No wasted time.
No unnecessary words.
He walked out.
Dante followed.
Back to the car.
Engine started again.
The drive back began.
Silence returned.
But different now.
Heavier.
Dante glanced at him briefly.
"…You didn't hesitate."
"…I don't."
A pause.
"…Even now?"
Izana didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…Especially now."
Quiet.
Firm.
Dante nodded slightly.
Then—
"…Kairo was seen again."
Silence.
The air shifted instantly.
Colder.
Sharper.
Izana's gaze didn't move.
But something beneath it did.
"…I know."
"…Closer this time."
A pause.
"…He'll come back."
Izana's jaw tightened slightly.
Barely noticeable.
"…Then I'll be ready."
Dante watched him.
Carefully.
"…You're thinking differently."
A pause.
"…Yes."
"…Because of them."
Silence.
Then—
"…Yes."
No denial.
No hesitation.
Just truth.
Dante exhaled slowly.
"…That makes you predictable."
"…No."
A pause.
"…It makes me careful."
The car slowed.
The mansion coming into view again.
Familiar.
Solid.
Safe.
Dante parked.
Engine off.
Izana stepped out.
Paused.
Just for a second.
Then turned slightly.
Dante still in the seat.
Watching him.
"…Try not to be late tomorrow," Dante said dryly.
A pause.
Izana's gaze flickered.
Brief.
Subtle.
"…No."
Dante smirked.
"…After yesterday, you're finally soft."
Izana's jaw tightened.
"…Yesterday is over."
"…But the baby already has you wrapped around their tiny finger," Dante teased.
"…You should probably admit it."
Izana's hand tightened slightly on the car door.
"…I will not fail them."
"…Good," Dante said.
"…Just remember: you're not the only one waiting for a surprise. You better make sure Leah survives your 'softness' today."
Izana's eyes softened for the briefest second.
"…She will."
But it wasn't quite the same.
Because now—
there was somewhere else he wanted to be.
And someone waiting.
He turned.
Walking back inside.
And for the first time—
being late didn't seem like a mistake.