Alexander swiped to answer, almost choking on relief. "Dominic! Brother, you have no idea what this means. I need your help—these bastards, they've set me up. You know I'd never—"
"Easy," Dominic's voice came, calm but tired, the weight of the world hanging in it. "I know. You don't have to explain. I'll take care of everything."
Alexander gripped the phone tighter, throat thick. "I knew it. I fucking knew you wouldn't abandon me. Thank you, Dom. Thank you."
There was a pause. Then Dominic spoke again, slower this time. "Listen, Alexander… the higher-ups are pressing me. They want me to act. I can't stall them forever. The best thing you can do now is surrender—peacefully. Let me arrest you."
It was like a slap. Alexander's face twisted with rage. "What?! You son of a bitch—you think I'm going to hand myself over like some lowlife? You dare—after everything I've done for you, for this city—you dare to treat me like a criminal?"
