crets. Luca's apartment was silent, save for the steady tick of the grandfather c

damp trails on the cushions. Luca stood by the window, his profile har

followed me," he sai

she shot back, her tone edged with frustrati

on't understand what you

erstand, Luca. I

something unspoken. There was a moment of silence-

" he said, walking closer. "

d an eyebro

es. No questions, no wandering off

ghtly over her shoulder, revealing a

rtbeat before he mastered himself.

choices. But the truth was brutal and simple-she had now

'm not some porcelain do

urved-bare

She padded into the kitchen to find Luca dressed in black slacks and an op

look lik

he asked, leaning

shoulder. "Only when I do

lighter. He slid a cup toward her, and their

said. "Someone's been po

owed. "What ki

sn't knock before

buzzed. A message flashed across th

s breath. Elena re

s Cor

d turned enemy. He's trying

et alone? That's no

"Which is why you're comi

her hair tucked beneath a brunette wig, sunglasses masking

off better th

ts make gr

abandoned and rusted, its doors wide like a mouth about to swa

Cortez

hat never reached his eyes. "Moretti,"

o the

d to Elena. "Who's t

rry about," Luca

spilled out-Elena's face among them. Surveillance shot

stepped protectiv

crossed

Cortez said. "Her for th

ned. "I don't neg

came witho

ullets tore through crates around them. He fired back,

returned, Cor

ath Luca, heart pounding,

y?" he m

ir faces were inches a

ved me.

ake it a

between duty and desire. Between a world that demand

r feet, his hand li

" he said. "Next tim

ch me to

o longer enough. They were bound now-by danger, by

rushing a strand of wi

? Then stay close.

caught. "

ng the shell of her ear. "Clo

ssed her, it w

as f

s a p

most dangerou