She met the stranger's intense gaze without flinching. Her heart was still poundi

ce. He, an immaculate predator in a bespoke suit. She, a barefoot survivor in a

s, the defiant tilt of her chin. He saw no fear in her eyes. No pleading. Onl

ed breathing. A younger man in a slightly less expensive suit skidded

e took in the carnage. "Are you alright? We heard shouting." H

a hand, silencing him.

ep baritone, smooth as velvet but cold as stee

r face. "Your aim is adequate," she replie

at her as if she had just grown a second head. N

ps. It didn't reach his eyes. He was wearing a heavy, silver signet ring on

efficiency. They descended on the remaining thugs, subduing them

ind of predator, but predators all the same. She walked over to t

she pulled the torn edges of Skylar's blous

out a choked sob and launched herself into Nina's arm

er first instinct was to push the crying girl away. But she

ys," Nina said, her voice stiff but no

mered between sobs. "He said he wanted t

ard settle in Nina's stomach. "Trash belongs in t

serving the scene with a detached curiosity, stopped turning

the night. Red and blue lights began to flash against the

at the entrance. Officers emerged, guns d

ge-like ID. "Officer Davis," he said, his voice calm and authoritative.

und Julian Sterling, standing impassively in the center of the al

holstering his gun. "My apologies.

r," Julian said, his voice

the paperwork... it was clearly self-defense, but we'll need

dyguards instantly produced a large black umbrella, holding it over his

ll shaky, and Nina, barefoot and exhausted, struggled to

, her expression a mask of indifference. She acted as if the m

forehead. There was something familiar

into the back of a patrol car, their curse

ead, refusing it. She guided Skylar toward the second patrol c

leaming black Maybach that had materialized

, unreadable eyes followed the red dress

the curb, its lights flashing sile