Chapter 45 After The Fire

• The sun had barely risen above Phoenix, casting its golden light across the skyline, but inside Steve Lancaster’s penthouse, the world had already shifted.
• Sandra stood on the balcony, barefoot, a silk robe draped over her skin like morning mist. The city stretched out before her—alive, buzzing, unaware of the war that had just ended in its heart.
• Behind her, Steve moved quietly through the kitchen, setting two mugs of coffee on the table before joining her. His hand slipped around her waist, warm and grounding.