The city looked different at night.
From the balcony of the penthouse, Ava watched the endless lights glitter below like a field of distant stars. Normally the view would have been beautiful.
Tonight it felt like a trap.
Somewhere out there, people were already searching for her.
Ten million dollars.
The number still echoed in her mind.
She wrapped her arms around herself as a cold wind drifted through the open glass doors.
Behind her, Lucien was moving quickly through the apartment, gathering things with calm efficiency. A small black duffel bag sat on the couch already half packed.
He worked like a man used to running.
Used to danger.
Used to disappearing.
Ava turned slowly.
"Are we really leaving tonight?"
Lucien zipped the bag and looked at her.
"Yes."
His tone allowed no argument.
Aurora leaned against the kitchen counter, casually watching the scene unfold. She looked far too relaxed for someone discussing assassination contracts.
"You could stay," Aurora said lightly. "It would certainly make things more entertaining."
Lucien shot her a cold look.
"Not helpful."
Aurora smirked but said nothing more.
Lucien walked toward Ava, stopping just a step away from her.
The closeness made her pulse quicken immediately.
"You should change," he said quietly. "Something comfortable. We may be traveling for a while."
Ava nodded.
She disappeared into the bedroom and quickly changed into dark jeans and a fitted sweater. Something about preparing to run from invisible enemies made her feel strangely alive.
When she returned to the living room, Lucien was waiting near the door.
His eyes moved slowly over her.
Not in a casual way.
In a way that made warmth creep up her neck.
"Good," he murmured.
Aurora grabbed her coat.
"Well then," she said brightly, "let's go before the hunters arrive."
Ava blinked.
"You're coming too?"
Aurora smiled.
"Of course."
Lucien didn't look happy about it, but he didn't argue either.
They moved quickly through the private elevator and down into the underground parking garage. The concrete space was silent except for the echo of their footsteps.
A sleek black car waited near the exit.
Lucien tossed the bag into the trunk.
"Get in."
Ava slid into the passenger seat while Aurora climbed into the back. Moments later the engine roared softly to life.
As the car pulled out onto the empty street, Ava felt a strange knot tighten in her chest.
She glanced at Lucien.
"You've done this before, haven't you?"
He kept his eyes on the road.
"Yes."
"Running?"
"Surviving."
The city lights flashed across his face as they drove.
For several minutes, no one spoke.
Then Aurora suddenly leaned forward between the seats.
"You might want to drive faster."
Lucien's grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"Why?"
Aurora casually held up her phone.
"Because someone just accessed the security cameras at your building."
Ava's stomach dropped.
"They're already there?"
Aurora nodded.
"And they've probably traced the car."
Lucien swore under his breath.
He pressed harder on the accelerator.
The engine surged as the car sped through the nearly empty streets.
Ava's heart pounded.
"Where are we going?"
Lucien answered without hesitation.
"Somewhere remote."
"How far?"
"Far enough that no one will find you."
The car turned sharply onto the highway leaving the city behind.
Darkness swallowed the road ahead.
For a while, Ava watched the passing lights in silence.
Then she noticed something.
Lucien's hand resting on the gear shift was only inches from hers.
The car hit a bump.
Her hand slid slightly.
Their fingers brushed.
Electricity shot through her instantly.
Lucien noticed too.
His gaze flicked briefly toward her before returning to the road.
Neither of them moved away.
The tension between them filled the car like heat.
Finally, Ava whispered softly.
"Lucien…"
"Yes?"
Her voice was barely audible.
"Why are you risking so much for me?"
For a moment he didn't answer.
Then he spoke quietly.
"Because someone erased your life."
A pause.
"And I intend to find out why."
Ava studied his face in the dim light.
"You could walk away."
Lucien glanced at her again.
His eyes were darker than the night outside.
"But I won't."
Aurora groaned dramatically from the back seat.
"Please tell me we're not doing the emotional tension thing while assassins are hunting us."
Lucien ignored her.
The car continued racing down the empty highway.
Then suddenly—
Headlights appeared behind them.
Fast.
Too fast.
Aurora sat up immediately.
"Well," she said calmly.
"Looks like our first hunter found us."
Ava turned in her seat.
A black SUV was speeding toward them, closing the distance quickly.
Lucien's expression hardened.
"Seatbelts."
Ava's hands shook as she fastened hers.
The SUV pulled closer.
Closer.
Then the window rolled down.
A gun appeared.
Aurora sighed.
"Here we go."
A shot exploded through the night.
Lucien swerved sharply as the bullet shattered the rear window.
Ava screamed as glass scattered across the back seat.
Lucien pressed the accelerator to the floor.
"Hold on!"
The chase had begun.
And somewhere in the chaos, Ava realized something terrifying.
Her erased life wasn't just dangerous.
It was worth killing for.