Chapter 17: Intel

The light filtered through the heavy curtains of Nova’s bedroom, casting long golden streaks across the dark wood floor.

The air was crisp, the scent of fresh linens and faint traces of cologne lingering in the room. He stirred lazily, blinking against the sunlight peeking through the gaps.

A slow, deep breath followed by a satisfied stretch.

Nova lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling, savoring the quiet.

The bed beneath him was ridiculously soft, the kind of comfort that you can only feel in your own room. It made the entire ordeal yesterday seem like a fever dream.

He ran a hand through his hair, messy from sleep, and let out a content sigh.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

It was rhythmic and polite at first, then it held a little impatience after Nova just waited for a couple of seconds hearing the continuous knock on the door.

Nova already had an idea of who it was before even opening his mouth.

"Nova?" a familiar voice called from behind the door.

A smirk tugged at his lips. "You’re awfully eager to see me in my sleepwear, Sophia."

There was only silence at the door. Then, a sharp exhale. “I should’ve just sent a maid.”

Nova chuckled, rubbing his eyes before pushing himself up. "Give me a second. I need to make myself presentable."

“I doubt you’ll ever be presentable.”

"Now that hurts." Grinning, he got up, tossed on a shirt, and ran a hand through his hair in a half-hearted attempt to fix it.

When he finally opened the door, he leaned against the doorway, eyes scanning her face with deliberate amusement.

She was scrolling through her phone, her posture relaxed but with that same air of composure she always carried.

Today, though, she looked different. Her hair, usually styled to perfection, had a natural wave to it, and instead of the refined dresses or business attire she often wore, she was in a fitted blouse and dark jeans.

"Morning," Nova flashed a cheeky, proud smile, and greeted her smoothly,

With a slight, indifferent nod, she said, "Morning."

Nova raised an eyebrow, amused. "Why are you at my door this early?"

Sophia huffed softly. "First of all, it's almost noon. And second, the meeting is about to start."

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Nova smirked and spoke with a teasing tone. “First of all, why are you so grumpy? Did you miss me? And second, I have to get dressed first.”

Sophia shot him an unimpressed side glance, though a faint twitch betrayed her expression. "I don’t miss you… and get dressed already, your hair is still a mess waking up so late."

Nova straightened his posture, hands already fixing his bed hair. “I still look good though, and now I have a good reason to wake up. Some things are just worth getting up for.”

He watched as Sophia’s brows furrowed slightly, as if trying to figure out what he was saying all of a sudden.

But she didn’t react immediately. Instead, she glanced back down at her phone, scrolling idly. “That so?”

Nova nodded, watching her carefully. His face leaning on closer to hers. “Yeah. Sometimes, there are things you don’t expect but… leave an impression. Makes you think about them even when you don’t intend to.”

Her fingers paused on the screen.

Her eyes flickered up at him again, slower this time, more intuitive. She met his sincere but intense gaze, devoid of his usual mischief.

Sophia’s posture stiffened, her grip on her phone tightening just a fraction. She blinked once, then twice, and then… a faint pink painting her cheeks.

Still, she recovered quickly. “You talk too much,” she muttered, shifting her weight as if trying to appear unaffected.

Nova smirked, eyes gleaming with mischief. "You’re welcome to stay and watch me dress. Just like last time."

This time, she actually faltered, lips parting slightly before quickly pressing together.

Nova saw it clearly but only offered a warm, knowing smile. He saw her fidget and turned off her phone, but he caught a glimpse of multiple blurred pictures before the screen turned black.

He didn’t pay much attention because she already turned on her heel before he could even react, already heading for the hallway.

The smile on her lips that she so clearly tried not to show to Nova was in full view, her eyes were shining with a mysterious delight, then she shouted without even looking back, "I’m leaving!"

She clearly wanted to see him, even going to his room to visit, but was still hesitant to show it.

Nova chuckled as she left, clearly flustered despite her best attempts to hide it. “Hehe, I’m super awesome.”

His morning felt little more wonderful.

…..

The heavy doors of the conference hall swung open as the gathered members began to disperse. Voices mingled in low murmurs, a mix of strategy and speculation filling the air as groups of men left in quiet determination.

The meeting had been direct, the plans were finalized, roles assigned. The attack on the Mad Hounds drug den in the south west district was set for tonight.

Nova hadn’t spoken much during the meeting itself. He listened, observed. Let the others discuss logistics, strategies, contingencies. That wasn’t his role. His role was something far more precise.

And now, with the meeting concluded, it was time to put that precision to work.

As the last of the attendees filtered out of the hall, Nova remained behind, his steps unhurried as he approached Vincent, who stood near the head of the long table, quietly sorting through a few remaining documents.

His uncle didn’t look up as Nova drew closer, only speaking when the distance between them was closed.

“What are you up to?” Vincent said, his voice calm but expectant.

Nova smirked slightly. “You know me well, uncle. I got something here.”

Vincent finally looked at him, his sharp gaze unreadable.

Nova leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “I know the location of hideout of Ronan Raines.”

Vincent’s fingers paused on a document before he set it down completely. He straightened, giving Nova his full attention.

Ronan Raines, the vice leader of the Mad Hounds, was the true mastermind behind their operations. While the official leader remained a ghost, it was Ronan who pulled the strings, orchestrating their every move.

“He has been hiding from the authorities for a while now…” Vincent stated. Then nodded to Nova. “Go on.”

Nova’s smirk remained, but his expression darkened slightly. His eyes gleamed colder as he told his uncle everything he got from Dante.