o ignore the growing tension pressing down on her chest. Lucas hadn't come out of his room y

leaned on the counter, a cigarette already in

's bad to smoke in the kitchen," Sop

, and her oversized sweatshirt slipped off one shoulder. Sophie had long st

e door startled her. She frowned, wiping her

ted from the other side. It was

already racing. When she opened it, Mr

. "Some men... they're beating him u

he words not fully registe

Mrs. Ramirez urged, her

her bare feet barely hitting the cold pavement outside. Beh

trying to keep up as they hurried do

apped, her voice breaki

"Lucas?" she muttered, stumbling as she held the

rowd had gathered. Sophie pushed past them, her bre

bounced over him. One kicked him hard in the ribs, while the other sh

d, running toward them

r. One of them stepped forward, his fists clenched.

f between them and Lucas, who groaned weakly from the

nto the alley. She took a drag from her cigarette,

******

as the message replayed in his mind: The empir

rability, the idea that someone might have gained an edge over him. The photograph, blurry as

ith his emotions. His mind racer with p

ne on the counter vibrated again. The screen li

nger and bitterness. He let it ring, the sound adding more to his

d.

and this time, he grabbed the phone, his finger flipping over

rawer and leaned against the desk. Coul

came rushin

own right, had always been more concerned with appearances and power than family. Adrian's mother had long since checked out e

her demanded perfection-perfect grades, perfect behavior, perfect loyalty. But when

ld himself. His father had called him a fool, ungrateful, a disgrace to the Stai

surname from St

ed to reconcile once, but it was only a facade-a ploy to drag Adr

w, the

ustration boiled over. He took it out,

n, opening the contact. He scrolled dow

, he thought as his present p

a part of his life, and Adrian intended to keep it that way. He didn't need family, didn't need a

issa swung th

you be le

atched and looke

N

d and

***

ucas with her body. He groaned weakly beneath her, his breath shallow

s just a kid. Let him go. Whatever this is about,

e it out? You think sweet talk fixes this, girl?

rs. "But I arrange your money soon. I promise. J

d coldly. "Promises don't pay debts. We've been more than patient. Your

way, swaying slightly. Claire's eyes were wide with fear, but she didn't say

desperation creeping into her

Now it's either the money or worse. Ne

at, but she nodded, her voice barely

ing back. "You've got a week. If we don

ked away, their heavy footstep

d to Lucas, gently brushing the hair fr

weak. Sophie helped him to his feet, he

started among the cro

er," one woman muttered loud

another man said, shaking his head. "Pro

n her drunk mother,"

kept her head down, ignoring the pointed stares and mut

dy. "They don't know anything," she muttered, he

es flashing with frustration and pain. "Maybe if you hadn't g

to argue, but no words came out. She lo

grip on Lucas and continued up the stairs to their

oor, Lucas whispered,

ft but firm. "You have nothing to b

ning against it for support, she felt the w

threats. The

x this. She didn't know how yet, but she would. For Luc