sol's

ell did you

g in my ears. The voices on the other side of the door were muffl

ther was o

er? One

ds laced with tension, but I couldn't make out much more. What had my father been hiding? H

ened. Rafael stepped out, his sharp gaze sweeping the hallway. For a moment,

mind spinning. If Rafael knew somethi

ying with f

s low, urgent, as she grabbed my arm and pulled me in

self," I said, s

ael is your savior, but he's not. He's dange

est friend since childhood, the only person who knew the

of him," I said,

her voice breaking. "People who get

me like smoke, ev

es on me befo

on me like a predator stalking prey. My stomach churned, but I

kno

he way he watched me. He was toying with me

ut the feeling didn't go away. I turned, and there he was, s

" he said, his voi

?" I demanded, my

es gleaming with dark amu

ght air was sharp against my skin, but I barely felt it. My

g to face me with a smirk. "Yo

eath hitching.

ng. "You don't remember? Tha

ists to steady myself. He stepped clo

d have sta

ead that Rafael had eliminated one of his rivals a brutal, publ

is eyes sharp and assessing. "Y

d, meeting his

"Because I need you focused. The game is c

my determination. I couldn't afford to be wea

staring out at the city lights. My body ached from the ni

ng to go to survive

r laughter. The memories were a double-edged

ght air biting at my skin. I cou

accident

den behind a heavy curtain in the club's basement. My curiosit

files, photographs, and documents. But it was t

s my

oth of them smiling, their arms slun

red, my fingers trembling

spun around to find Rafael standin

re," he said, his vo

hiding s

g through the air like a blade. He'd cornered me outs

t?" I demanded,

nst my ear. "I know who you are,

fused to let him see my fea

s low and chill

kage to one of his associates. It seemed simple en

package," he said, his voic

gnawed at me. Rafael was testing me, p

ss? Or wou

ograph h

at refused to come. How had my father kn

my mind, but there was n

ust watching me anymore.

that followed me through the club. He was digging into my pas

w up for work, I knew

it was empty. No sign of a st

d. Has Rafael done something

is grip bruising. "You th

my heart poundin

my knee into his groin. He doubled over, cursi

s, but all I could think a

tonight," Rafael said, hi

nst my cheek. The gesture was almost t

r than I though

heart racing. "I

dn't reach his eyes.

ake the feeling that I'd just m