The heavy door clicks shut behind us, the lock engages with a final, metallic thud that echoes through the vast, open space of the penthouse. Dev doesn’t look back at me immediately; he just walks forward, his strides long and confident, owning the air in the room. The space is intimidating—floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the city skyline, the lights below flickering like distant, indifferent stars. Polished concrete floors reflect the ambient glow, and in the center sits a massive, black leather sectional sofa that looks like it belongs in a predator’s den.

"Sit," Dev says, his voice low and commanding, cutting through the silence. He gestures toward the sofa with a jerk of his chin.