burned agains

k-t

y carried the weight of a

ess, not in his personal life, and certainly not from a ghost who h

if he were a mere boy in her story. That was

gers around the ca

ed to pl

i

nd her exactl

gerou

iced the conversations around him-the murmurs of confusion and quiet voic

ded an

eede

long steps eating up the distance. As he reache

uc

flashing through him

Romano. H

, perfectly made-up face showed a carefully controlled look o

stepping closer. "She shouldn't

thing that barely resembled a

her sides. "You should have her removed. She's a tra

hers, and she imme

sed betrayal. He didn't need warnings. What he

to deal wi

rtainty crossing her face. For a moment, it looked

ped back. "Just don't forg

lla had never been a priority-she was a con

en something

a problem he re

earch

e scent of rain. The road shines under the city lights, and expen

phia w

He hadn't expected her to stay-no, she had always been

waiting in the shad

right-hand man, step

t the underlying command

sharp nod. "

rther instruction. Matte

or a reason. Luca int

from t

in the back of a black car, her f

ca would react e

had felt the weight of his eyes. The tension

d

was hunt

o

he shadows, rebuilding herself from the ashes of betrayal. Three years pre

had made one

nderesti

ooked at the phone next to her and gave a

oking f

urse

t

Firs

de him. The skyline of New York stretched beyond the glass windows, but

open the first page. "Officially

is jaw. "Clearly

. No records, no sightings. It's like she never existed." He tapped

ed against the desk.

o hes

e same girl y

snapped up

disappear. She was remade. New identity. New connecti

rous smile fr

rse sh

been too clever to v

rself with the very people who wante

hair, a dark amusement

's been

out. "What do y

whiskey, taking a slo

e set the glass down w

let's

le message arrived

y attentio

ed up as she

rf