Collin

how, though I could

inviting, but what truly dragged me

and close, and every so often, he'd shoot me a look, like he had something to get off his chest but

ent of fresh coffee lingering in the air. The only sign he'd ever been there

was a neat label: Monday, closet. I made my way out to the living room

s you at St. J

seat. At last, I thought. Maybe tod

-

ding tight in my stomach. A security guard held the door

d past, guiding a stretcher

ase, I went straigh

llins. Can you tell m

he keyboard for a moment, th

der that name. Not in the patient l

ought here over a year ago. She was in an ac

the system. Are you sure t

rk myself. This can't be happe

go. My shift just began, so

in. Brown hair." Each word push

f you'd like, I can

I yelled, shaking

, his voice low and even. "Mrs. Riley, please don

ing away from his grip. "Te

thinner than the last. I turned in frantic circles, searching the hallways for any

settled in

htheaded and adrift, every step mak

d promised to handle everything. He

been a setup from

The room began to tilt, the f

to myself. "Breathe. You

r snapped me o

nurse rushed past, guiding a stretc

e of the chaos, trying

ance!" someone shouted. The staff scr

t my eye. He sat off to the side, gaze

es narrowed like the lights were too bright

mured, inchin

thes. No tattoo on his neck. And that stare... it wasn't Luca's famili

if the floor had

.?" I wh

hausted smile. Yet something flickered in

n't my h

r crawled do

ind that came

already easing back, pul

clearly pleased I'

ly, attempting to steady my voice.

my promises," he replied with a mocking curl o

through me.

here h

forced me to sign away my life, only to

ed me into a worl

is my s

Jackson's face. He looked around like

upposed to keep track of that, not me. I

just hand you the one th

throat tighten

got transferred. Maybe she's under watch somewhere else. Or mayb

reached out, trying to hold

year because of you. Forced into a marriage with a stra

ng to my brother. You think I didn't see that? If you wan

almost ended up dead yourself.

the line. If you want your sister to live, you'll do exactly as I say. I

nly thing that

rely on myself. I needed to find a way out, to play

ee this through. Even if it w

ed his chin toward the door, a silent ord