. The air seemed to shift, heavy and suffocating,

were discussing the weather. "Your brother stole from me. I could deal with

asn't a warning. It wa

ing despite her efforts to sound composed. "Jamie..

bypass security systems and empty a cash

dn't m

rough her protest like a knife. "Spare

at her sides. "If you're here to t

ile didn't reach his eyes. "Threaten? No, Mis

sted. "What kin

overwhelming. She could feel the

said. "And you're going to

aught. "What

re going to work for me. You'll follow my orders, no que

ed. "You can'

ed, leaving no room for argument. "You'll fin

nspoken threat hung in th

urt him. I'll do whatever you wan

choice." He nodded to one of his men, who handed

orrow morning. Nine sha

card. It was unmarked except for a

she asked, though she a

hat sent chills down her spine. "Then I'l

and walked away, his men falling

n her trembling hand. The hum of the city faded into th

e spiraled into

with Jamie. He was in his room, oblivious to the storm brewing around them. She wa

ard under the dim light of a flickering bulb. She trace

e a

showered, dressed in her best attempt at business casual, and gr

sleep when she sl

ind of place she'd only ever seen in movies. She hesitated outside, dwarfed b

nd glass, with a receptionist who di

retti," she said, her voi

After a brief exchange, she gestured toward t

urse

he her nerves. When the doors opened, she stepped out into a space that screamed power and w

o her. He turned when she approached, h

cool and commanding. "Right on

hard. "What do y

redatory. "Oh, don't worry. I

d no choice. Whatever Dante Moretti had