t in her throat. Did s

in her body screamed at her to leave, to get as far away from that door as possibl

Alive. I'll take c

e. It wasn't the voice of a businessman discuss

he door han

time to react befor

eyes

the piercing gaze of a predator. But she forced herself to s

o use the restroom upstairs, but I-" she let out a bre

. Then, he smiled. That easy, charming smil

oor to the right," he said smoothl

led, forcing herself t

ld feel his

y in there for long. The moment the coast was clear, she slipped out and

la teased. "Hope you di

a tight laugh. "

ly touched her drink,

o get out

awn. "I should probably head

"Already? You

smile. "I know, but I h

push further. "Alright

e last glance toward the hallw

weren't just su

definitely o

*

on her city streets. She was in deep thought throughout the ride,

rned and started walking through the str

e her way home, her mind still replaying the dinner at Kay

overthin

red her that everything was going to be

her, a sharp sound cut through the ni

h

A

crashed

g herself before hitting the ground. The man who ran into her wasn't as

ed. "Oh

head, his eyes wild

croaked, his

What the hell

cess it, a chilling voice

t h

ood ra

erging from the darkness, dressed in black. Two of them wore

is feet. "I swear I know nothi

up smirked, stepping forw

id mockingly. Then, her gaze flicked to D

t slammed agai

n know him!" s

ad, amused. "Oh? Then w

, please

his black coat. "You're lucky the boss wants you alive

d ran cold. Bo

the situation, the man beside

. "What the hell

Instead, he yanked h

!" the ma

eet barely kept up with his, but the sheer

pursuit, their heavy footfalls

lleys, but no matter how many twists and turns they took, the gang st

pening. This i

her vision blurr

gasped, tugging her down an

really shoot you this time

th hitched. Sh

bitch first, so he kn

A chill unlike anything she had

ie. I'm actual

ned dying peacefully in her sleep-old, comfortable, in a bed. Not i

the man yanked her harder,

d the man yanked her into a na

ered, pulling h

ding her breath as the gang ran past without noticing th

he man, her pul

? Who are you? Why did

," he hissed. "They m

elaney snapped, h

se of you! I lost my phone, my bag, and I have

ll tell you everyth

"News flash-I was safe before you ran in

d desperately. "Just-

was t

ough the alley. Delane

e gangsters st

ad. "What was one fun hide

eact, a brutal kick sl

ain explode

onto the cold pavement. The pain was blinding, suffocating. Through

hot ra

a dark stain sprea

before she felt herself being hauled up. Someone slung h

kne

*

WN LOCA

he distant hum of voices echoed t

rough and scratchy pressed against her face-a

as ti

t. She struggled, but the

ng," a cold v

w. Calculated. A chair cr

e drawled, "let's

ey st

t v

in shallow burst

inued, addressing someone else. "I gave you one c

ow how it happened! I

A

was heard and a body

nearly s

d. The metallic scent o

e heard one of the

e boss got up and started walking out but su

ck off her."

ead. The sudden brightness burned her eyes,

th

saw

caught in

ed in an air of undeniable power

exande

's fi

tilted. Her lips parted

d. His expression flickered, his confident

ed, his voice l

lan

ver down her spine, and she kne