e dodged tourists and street vendors, her pace never slowing.

glass doors. The lobby was quiet, smell

e looked at her worn leather jacket and faded jeans. His nos

ping with condescension. "This branch does n

jacket pocket and pulled out a heavy key. It was black metal, engraved w

rained from his face. His mouth open

king as he pointed toward the back. "Right

r doors closed, shutting out the lobby. The car dr

itanium vault. The metal gleame

plex passcode her mother had forced her to memorize years ago.

oors groaned and

afety deposit box under the name Juliet Faulkner. She insert

lder and several small,

ocuments for the neuro-aromatic perfume were all there. T

's inner pocket. She took one of the glass bottles and slippe

lickered on. She needed to get to Long Island, but it was too far

eyway to cut across the block. It was a shortcut t

he sound of heavy boots e

shadows. They held switchblade

leader said. He stared a

ike. She reached up and pulled her ponytai

forward, thrusting the blade

rough the empty air. She brought her knee up,

ed in the alley. The ma

yelled and rus

rm, planted her feet, and threw him over her shoulder. He crashed into a

rapped his arm around her neck from be

ow backward, burying it deep into his ri

ouse kick to his jaw. His head snapped back,

ed at his friends on the ground, th

step toward him

s knife and sprint

er jacket. She turned to leave

teps echoed from the

was massive, his broad shoulders filling the narr

yes were bloodshot and wi

her body screamed that this man was a hundred t

rowl. He lunged at her

her. The sheer force of his body threw her backw