Caleb didn't linger. He couldn't. The moment Dante left, the weight of the room changed. The fight was over, but the consequences were only beginning. Elias lay still at his feet, and the metallic scent of finality lingered in the air. Caleb took a slow breath and crouched down, patting Elias' pockets with practiced efficiency. He wasn't searching for weapons. He needed answers.
A thin data chip, tucked beneath Elias' coat lining, slid into Caleb's palm. He pocketed it without hesitation. Whatever was on it, Elias had thought it was worth keeping close. That meant it mattered. Caleb didn't have time to check it now, not here, not while the weight of what just happened still pressed against the walls.
He straightened, rolling his shoulders. His arm still throbbed from the shallow cut Elias had landed, but he ignored it. Lyra would handle the cleanup. Dante had made sure of that with two simple words. Caleb stepped toward the door, forcing his heartbeat to slow. This wasn't over. If Elias had been working angles, he wasn't doing it alone.
As he exited the room, he caught sight of Dante waiting just beyond the corridor, speaking in low tones to one of his men. Dante turned slightly, his gaze flicking to Caleb. "You still here?" His voice was casual, but Caleb knew better.
"Not for long," Caleb said. "I need to move."
Dante studied him for a second before nodding. "Smart." He exhaled, rubbing his jaw. "Elias had people. You should assume they'll come looking."
"I am." Caleb adjusted his jacket, ignoring the sting in his arm. "I'll handle it."
Dante's mouth quirked in something that wasn't quite a smile. "You're learning." He nodded once, then turned away, already moving on.
Caleb didn't wait. He slipped into the back corridors, navigating through the less traveled exits of the club. He needed a safe place to check the data chip. Needed to know what Elias had been protecting.
Because if Elias had gone down with secrets, Caleb needed to uncover them before someone else did.