Lawso

out of my apartment. The city was already awake, a rhythmic pulse o

ge over and over again. The past had a way of clawing b

My stomach tightened, but I forced my expression to remain neutral. The moment I

Nicolas Vaughn drawled, hi

med-for a moment-that the car belonged to som

slipping into the passen

shrug. "You'r

t. Being predictable meant being vulnerable, and I ha

g into traffic. The silence between us str

in an hour," I finally said. "Pierce's re

eyes focused on the road. "I

my lips. "Without

e not the only one who knows

mor he wore so effortlessly. Every decision he made was pre

being blindsid

tly against the steering

ass structure reflecting the morning light in sharp angles. He p

u today," he observed, t

erceptive, but I couldn't afford

said smoothly.

ething-or someone-is causing prob

olerate threats, whether they were aime

ection extended to me. Another part knew

tight smile.

stepping out of the car. I followed suit, my ste

d in the shadows, I refused t

They never real

-

s Vaug

was l

life reading people. There was a shift in her demean

ressure, but whatever had happ

I had requested. My instincts rarely led me astray, and someth

kes pulled up

financial red flags, no criminal record,

for one

ds were sealed, but money had a way of making barriers disa

na G

h me. Graves. It wasn't unfamiliar. My fin

another connection-o

ager. Investigated for fraud and embez

fa

to form a picture, but the

d why, despite all her careful maneuveri

without warning. Samuel strolle

unbothered by the fact tha

way

en, a knowing glint in his eyes. "

ut there was an edge b

you want,

eigning nonchalance. "A warni

eath, my patience t

-isn't who she

d to play-planting seeds of doubt,

now?" I asked,

. "More than y

nt, refusing to

ufflinks. "Just remember, brother, s

ething. And now, so did I. Aria Lawson wasn't just a brilliant strategist. She