aves and the distant hum of traffic. She glanced at her phone-7:59 PM. The email had been cryptic, offering no assurances of safety, but her

bench look like a potential hiding place. Elena's steps slowed as she

ce obscured by the hood of his jacket. He tur

as L

?" she demanded, her voi

unreadable in the dim light. "

htening on the folder. "Someone wanted t

s tone firm. "But I know my uncle. Th

figure emerged from the shadows.

t-and-pepper hair and a smug

mooth and condescending. "I see yo

posture tense. "What are

ng, nephew. But then again, it's always been y

said, his voice col

come out. That's all. Surely Ms. Harper deser

ween them, her confusio

But the real truth lies in something Liam hasn't

tightened

back to Elena. "Did he tell

ning cold. "It was an acci

"That's the story Liam told the wo

rowled, his voice

malice. "Marcus didn't just die in an accident, Ms. Har

Liam, searching his face for denial, for any hint that

rue?" she

voice was low and controlled. "Yes. My father was murdered.

desperate, aren't you, Liam? Blam

ser to Edward. "I'm stating a fact. You were t

as a flicker of unease in h

iam said. "I know what

hteous, don't you? Always playing the hero. But you're no better than me, L

rough the tension. "

r expressions starkly different

rembling. "But I'm not going to stand here and let y

ake it. If you want to destroy Liam, do it yo

"Smart choice, Ms. Harper. You'll

Liam grabbed Elena's arm

re. "I know you don't trust me right now, but please-don't let him mani

g at the conflict in his voice. "I need ti

ding alone in the park, his silhouette a shad

-

phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, he

to the truth than you think.

back at the park, the shadows str

d more importantly,

ht between two powerful men. She was trapped in a web o

t wha