him t

h anger I didn't bother hiding. "Pl

o say something else, like there was a thousand words trapped

id quietly. He left

der than it should have. I stood there long after, staring at th

sleep t

aniel, standing in my office with those bl

und my legs, my heart racing like I'd be

vise. Exhaustion clung to me, thick and heavy. Fear

ght cut thro

knew so

It hadn't even been surprise. It was recognition. Like h

adn't to

n't let

nt to the hospital. Visiting hours were technically over, but no

his chest the only thing keeping my panic at bay. I sat beside him for

alls felt too clo

my arms against a sudden chill, an

t my shoulders bef

e right now," a famili

ni

fr

tened like before. For a moment, my body leaned into him, re

rwhelming in the narrow hallway. The hospital lights cast harsh shadows

oing here?" I w

shadow along his jaw, the same line I used to trace with m

ed back

he said. "And to ma

d. "That

get to disappear for eight years and the

trust me," he said. "I'

my arms. "

all your nonprofit's debts toni

but because a part of me wanted to say yes. And that terrified m

foundation," he continued. "My name s

mpossible

r," he replied calmly.

pounded

dded. "Round-the-clock. And I'll move his medical bil

mmediately. "A

y the building anonymously. The nonprofit st

felt like it

said, my voice trembling. "

lenched.

napped. "

swer, a new voice

nie

very instin

dered, dressed in a dark gray suit that screamed money an

ntire body

e," he

slow and assessing, and I f

Riley," he said smoothl

twisted. "W

fering a hand I didn't take. "An

asted like

front of me. "We're in the

our friend." His eyes returned to me. "You've built quite the no

it made me feel

rs," I sa

ened. "Of cou

eared, he excused himself, disappe

Jonathan Pierce is dangerous. More dangerous

y away? He knows who I a

back," Daniel sai

t they stayed there, heavy and hard to ignore. Because I'd believed him o

hispered. "Not after the way you

Pierce won't stop. That let

left," I demanded. "

That silence wa

ur father," he sa

that." Our voices rose. A nur

r leave," she said. Daniel looked at

aid quietly. "When you're

d out into the cold n

Time is running out.

oat pocket and stepped towar

ar slowed

ni

gh to let his voice slip out – lo

dn't you?" he sa

o leave me al

crossing his face. "Jane... there is no alone an

said. "Not your lawyer. Not t

etly, decisively: "And when the time runs out, I

. The car disappea

shaking, caught between walki