Page 51 of Noel
Sigma International Security Headquarters—Volkov Towers, Manhattan
If the outside of Volkov Towers is imposing—sleek black glass and steel stabbing arrogantly into the Manhattan skyline—then the inside is downright intimidating.
The lobby gleams with polished marble floors, towering ceilings, and silent, stone-faced security guards who look like they moonlight as nightclub bouncers or special ops.
Noel flashes his badge, and they nod in silent deference.
Everything smells like power.
Polished wood, expensive cologne, old money and high-stakes control.This place wasn’t built for comfort or kindness.
It was built by people who don’t ask permission and never play fair.
His world,I think, gripping the strap of my tote tighter.Not mine.
The elevator ride is quiet but fast, whisking us to our floor—Sigma International Security’s headquarters, which apparently spans three entire levels of this fortress in the sky.
I don’t know what I expected.Something colder, maybe.Harsher.But stepping out into their HQ feels more like entering a high-end command center than a military base.
Leather furnishings, smoked glass, steel accents.A wall of monitors displays live security feeds, heat maps, and schematics I don’t understand.
Soft voices hum in the background, peppered by the occasional radio chirp.
It’s sleek.It’s secure.
And it’s serious.
Then I see two men approach.One is enormous and tattooed, a little scary to be honest.
Noel nods, and murmurs boss.
The other is also a tall, broad-shouldered man with sharp eyes and an even sharper jawline wearing a snazzy pair of red suspenders over his black on black shirt and pants.
“Mr.Callahan,” I say before Noel can speak, offering a polite smile.“Nice to see you again.”
His brows lift in surprise.
“You know Clementine will kill me if you don’t start calling me Connor.This is Remy Falco.”
“Pleasure to meet you Miss Winters, I trust Noel is taking care of you?”
“Yes, thank you.Nice to meet you,” I reply, turning back to Connor.“Yeah, but it feels weird to do that without her here.Besides, aren’t you like one of the bosses here?”
He chuckles.“Ha!Don’t let my father-in-law hear you say that.”
“Oh, I haven’t met Mr.Aziz formally,” I say, turning to Noel, who’s watching me with raised brows.
“How did you all meet if you don’t mind telling me?”Remy asks, a jovial smile softening his features.
“I’ve been friends with Clementine for years.Um, we met at this yoga place.The first time she described her husband to me, she said he was ‘scary hot and wore a holster like it was his birthright.’”
Connor blinks.Remy barks a laugh.And Noel groans softly under his breath.
“Jesus Christ.”
I shrug.“Just passing along the facts.”
Connor grins.“Well, she’s not wrong.Clementine does have impeccable taste.”
