e city, matching the rapid thud of Lyra's heart. She stood dripping on the hardwo

click. His gaze never left her face-not for suspicion, but

as if the sight of her in a torn wedding dres

still keep that .45 in

turned back to her.

tepping into the light. "My name. What I am. Wh

red for three years, Lyra. The girl

d to 'clean up loose ends.' But someone pulled me out before the fire con

ere a

any

ha-adjacent. Barely contained. Her scent had changed too. No longer the sweet

"If the Morettis find out you survived

eed, "which is why I

I helped you, you vanished and let me t

ng everyone. If they knew I'd made contac

that easy

me." Her voice cracked

ngs between them crackled

. "You really ran from Luca M

over the Valente empire. But Luca doesn't know who I really am-or what I'v

in his expression softened. "And wh

ed. "Power. Freed

d m

side. Not as my protector. As my partn

skin. A low growl hummed in his

e said finally,

let's make sure they regret