rt. David and I moved quickly through narrow alleyways, keeping to the shadows. My hands clutched

ered, my voice barely audible

canning the streets ahead like a hawk. "Someplace he won't fin

rd felt fragile, almost meaningless, given everything that had happened. And yet... h

ly pressed me against the wall. His

I asked, my vo

" he whispered

ned. "Close?

's been following us since the apartment. I think he's test

n. "David... I don't

meet his gaze. "And you will. Because I'm not lett

the edges of my resolve. I nodded, gripping his hand tightly, lett

stepped forward-tall, broad-shouldered, his

t of me, his stance protective, h

laced with menace. "You always think you can outr

do you want from me?" I demande

ade my skin crawl. "From you? Nothing... yet.

arrowed. "Step

ill so protective. Still so blind. You

said, his voice

a predator. "Very well. Let's see how f

et. David moved in an instant, pushing me behind him and intercepting

" I cried, panic r

d readiness, precision, and control. The tension in the air wa

not here to hurt you... yet," he said, his eyes never leaving ours. "B

me closer. "You'll leave her alone," he sa

u want. You'll see. In the e

nto the shadows, melting int

avid crouched beside me, brushing a stra

, his voice soft but

my hands shook. "

e from everything-Lucas, danger, even my own fear. "We'll get throu

calm the storm raging inside me. And for the first time since that n

ng messages were right. The dan

move, and the game