I didn't hear the footsteps until they were too close. I had left my uncle's house through a side door, heading for the nearby alley. From there, I made my way home.
I didn't want Max and Thorne to find me after all, what I do is not in their interest, they are Adrian's guards sent to watch me.
The air outside of my apartment complex was cold enough to sting, but the voice that followed hit colder.
"Ms. Cruz."
I froze. That voice was calm, professional, familiar from hours spent in Adrian's estate.
Marcus was one of Adrian's guards, ever silent and always in the corner of my vision.
But something about him now… it wasn't right.
He approached from behind a parked car, hands visible, posture respectful. Yet his eyes were too alert, tracking every twitch in my muscles as if waiting for me to slip.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, keeping my tone level.
"Mr. Thorne sent me." His voice didn't waver. "I was instructed to ensure your safety. There have been… threats."
A lie.
