years

ate jet screech against the tarm

choing in the crisp morning air. She wears a tailored black suit that hu

ded wife. She is Astrid. The ghost. T

d SUV. He hands her an encrypted tablet

t," Elie says, c

ms are severe: chronic migraines, insomnia, violent mood swings. The patie

d garage of a highly discreet pri

tor, is sweating through his suit

lls out a sleek, silver half-mask. She secures it o

he button for the penthouse floor. "Please

. The hallway is lined

ts, the specific way the men stand with their hands claspe

the heavy mahogany double doors at the end of the hall.

dark. Heavy blackout curtains b

the window, his back to the door. Smoke

thick carpet, her medica

eels, the man

the sharp angles of his jaw, the straig

art slams against her ribs so

n Mer

his mouth are carved deeper, and there i

an ashtray. His gaze sweeps

eryone is terrified of?" His

er knuckles turn white. The leather digs into her pal

ement of her tongue, producing a cli

r. The sheer physical dominance of the man

s down at her, his eyes locking onto hers

s darken with a sudden, restless confusion. Someth

s his hand, his long fingers reaching s