ss

aster than I

I'd done this a hundred times....lock the back door, adjust my tote bag on my shoulder, and head for the b

door slid op

arm clamped around my waist and yanked me backward. I thrashed, my elbow connecting with

hand clamped

oots slipped off as I connected with someone's shin. The guy holding me sn

hell is h

edle," some

ed

or a second-and I clawed at the arm pinning me. My nails scrape

No

arped like a distorted radio. I felt movement, my body hauled into something. Leather

en

th

***

e up

distance. Like detachment. My body was warm under t

ater. For a moment, I couldn't remember anything-only the blur of lig

ack like a pun

arkin

ha

ne

t and nearly fel

the he

ring ceilings. Definitely not some rundown hideout. This

e actua

heard f

Clean. C

ke he owned not just the sp

ll tattoo sleeve inked down one arm, black and gray, sharp lines of something mytho

man who could k

ed like he'd just walked o

ice deep and smooth, like g

stared at him. "Who

link. "Luca

Like something I'd overheard in the background of

u kidna

retrieved," h

really nice way of saying dr

er. "You're not a

How do you k

ored him. "You live alone. You work part-time at The Subway

my spine. "How

w things. Especially when peo

t?.I'm a barista who sometimes pulls all-nighters to

hly. "But for now, all you need to know is th

ed. "Ex

ke I was a child. "We're roommates. You can think of this

I don't

d. "That's not r

htly. "This is illegal

t now, you won't make it to their doorstep. There are peopl

llowe

exactly do

ing your father ha

isted. "You k

worked with dangerous men, Cass

ly feeling small in thi

ed. "But I'd give it twenty-four ho

my sides. "You don'

yours. The apartment is fully staffed, so if you need any

nd," I

messages to your friends from your phone, letting them know you need sp

mach d

ad no

ietly. "Because if I hadn't, th

y. "What are you

elli didn

nce said more

**

y another w

of my life. Not when I heard the soft murmur of a door closing behind him. Not when the butler El

om. R

e buzzing with confusion, dread, and somet

massive window overlooking the skyline. Every inch screamed money. No

o eat," Elias said with a s

hoodie I wore to work, missing one boot, my hair a

ed to

ted t

nd wrapped tightly around my phone. I

cca,

rwhelming lately. I'll still be in class

M

st overwhelmed. I

t it sounded enough like me

me more th

and tossed it on th

disguised as safety. And I don't think any

couldn't be happening. Some part of me still thought I'd wake up in my apartment, with the broken heater

it w

accountant with long hours and too many secrets had a

no idea wh

pasta and left without a word. Even after I shut off the li

y

y

ell did my

importa

Luca rea

he was dangerous. I could feel it in every quiet look, every clipped w

e than whoever he was sup

and stared a

mma

roommate dr

back of my mind whispered so

n't hu

t

't mean h

eant for now.

d, but

red out what the hell