I spoke softly. "They're risking a lot. I mean, I'm sure there are professional repercussions and legal trouble if this goes badly—"
"They know what they're doing and what's at stake."
Before I could respond, a series of soft, rhythmic taps sounded at the door—not a standard knock, but a signal. Michael immediately moved to answer it, positioning himself to block any potential line of fire while checking through the peephole.
He unlocked the door with fluid movements, opening it just enough for two figures to slip inside. Marcus entered first, expression grave and focused, followed by Miles, whose usual grin was notably absent. Both brothers moved with the silent precision of men accustomed to dangerous situations, though in different contexts.
Marcus spoke first. "Status?"
"No visual on hostiles since the incident." Michael fell into tactical language. "No digital intrusion detected in the building systems, but we should assume they have eyes somewhere."
Miles moved to the broken window, examining the damage with professional interest. "Clean break, single point of impact. Wanted you to hear it and feel it." He glanced over his shoulder at his brother. "They're sending a message, not trying to hurt anyone. Yet."
The clinical assessment made me shiver. Miles noticed and offered me a reassuring nod.
"Hey, Professor. Sorry we're meeting again under these circumstances."
I managed a weak "Thank you for coming."
Marcus moved to the kitchen, where he and Michael conferred in low voices, their heads bent together over what appeared to be a building schematic pulled up on Marcus's phone.
Miles moved closer to me, "Michael says you stumbled onto something called Project Asphodel."
"Yes, I—" I paused. "He told you what we found?"
"Broad strokes. Autonomous threat elimination system. Military applications. Horrible news for civil liberties and, apparently, history professors who ask too many questions."
"You're not surprised?"
"That the military-industrial complex is developing terrifying tech with zero ethical oversight?" Miles shook his head. "No. The surprising part is that my brother got himself tangled up with someone smart enough to uncover it."
Marcus approached from the kitchen. "We need to move. Now. Miles detected movement on the rooftop across the street."
Miles clarified. "Observer with equipment. It could be surveillance, or it could be something worse."
I wrung my hands together. "Worse as in—"
"Let's not find out." Michael shouldered his go-bag. "Alex, stay between Marcus and me. Miles will take point."
I nodded, trying to project a confidence I didn't feel. Michael must have sensed my anxiety because he paused, placing a steady hand on my shoulder.
"We've got you."
Marcus checked his weapon—a compact pistol I hadn't noticed until then—before moving to the door. "Service elevator to the garage. We positioned the vehicle for immediate exit."
Miles slipped out first, followed by Marcus. Michael gestured for me to follow, his hand pressing lightly against the small of my back. As I stepped into the hallway, the gravity of our situation became abundantly clear. Three trained men were risking everything to protect me because I'd uncovered something that powerful people wanted to keep buried.
The service elevator was utilitarian and smelled faintly of cleaning supplies. The McCabe brothers positioned themselves around me in a protective formation that seemed instinctual rather than planned. As the elevator descended, Miles caught my eye.
He spoke conversationally as if we weren't fleeing from potential assassins. "When Michael said he was bringing you to dinner, I figured you were his usual type—not the sharpest knife and a bit of a challenge."
Michael shot his brother a warning look, but Miles continued.
"Now, I get it. You're worth the trouble, Professor."
The elevator doors opened to reveal the dim concrete expanse of the underground garage. Marcus exited first, scanning the area before signaling for us to follow. We moved quickly between parked cars toward a dark SUV with tinted windows.
"Miles drives. I ride shotgun." Marcus waved a hand to direct us. "You two in the back."
