Instead of continuing the conversation over the phone, Jackson pushed through the emergency exit door on the next landing and stepped out toward the elevators. As he waited for the carriage, he shot Kyle a quick text, letting him know he was slipping away to meet with Tristan for a moment and might be slightly late returning to his desk. Kyle sent back a prompt, relaxed reply, telling him not to worry and to just head back whenever his business with Tristan was wrapped up.
Arriving at the top floor, Jackson found Tristan already waiting for him in the quiet lobby. With a silent, commanding nod, Tristan signaled for him to follow. He led Jackson deep into his private wing, a high-tech sanctuary dominated by walls of glowing computer monitors. They passed Elena's desk along the way; she looked up from her work, offering Jackson only a faint, knowing smile.
The moment they stepped over the threshold into Tristan's personal office, the heavy door clicked shut, locking automatically.
