Felix still stormed forward, gripping Lara's wrist tightly, dragging her away from the prying eyes. His pace was quick, unrelenting, his jaw clenched so hard it ached. Lara finally stopped protest, only let herself be pulled along with an almost curious smile on her lips. They wove past the corner, past a row of potted plants and hotel staff who looked away politely, and then ducked behind the hotel where the alleyway opened into shadow.
The air was cooler here, the scent of old bricks and faint motor oil replacing the earlier aroma of fine dining.
Felix stopped abruptly.
He let go of her wrist as if it burned him.
She stumbled slightly but quickly straightened, brushing nonexistent dust from her wrist as she tilted her head at him, amused.
"You shouldn't be here," he said, voice low, almost shaking with restrained fury. His eyes were narrowed, dark, almost burning. "You had no right to follow me. What do you want, Lara?"
