He carried a silver metal briefcase in his left hand.

His right hand hung loose at his side, empty and away from his coat.

From the deep shadows behind the heavy shipping crates, Killian stepped into the light.

He was not alone.

Three armed men emerged from the darkness behind him, their coats unbuttoned to reveal shoulder holsters.

“You came alone, Aries,” Killian said.

His voice bounced off the high steel rafters, sharp and echoing.

I saw Aries flinch slightly.

The loud drip of water from a leaky pipe above him was hitting a metal oil drum with a sharp ring.

His eyes narrowed as he focused on Killian.

“Where is she?” Aries asked.

His voice was quiet, but it held a terrifying stillness.

“She is safe and sound,” Killian replied, gesturing toward the stairs.

Killian nodded to one of his men.

The man raised a high-powered tactical flashlight and shone the beam directly at the office window where I stood.

The white light blinded me for a second, forcing me to shield my eyes with my arm.

“Show me her face,” Aries commanded.