As soon as Carlos opened the door wider, Alisha slipped past him with an amused smile, her heels clicking loudly against the marble floor. Carlos froze for a second, his mind racing with panic. Why was she doing this? He quickly turned to her, grabbing her arm. "Alisha," he hissed under his breath, his voice tight with anxiety. "You can't just—"She pulled her arm away, her lips curving into a smirk. "Relax, Carlos," she said smoothly. "I’m just here to enjoy the party. Don’t make a scene, hmm?"Carlos gritted his teeth, watching helplessly as Alisha strolled into the apartment, blending seamlessly with the other guests. Her eyes scanned the room with cool confidence, and within seconds, she had joined a group of people, smiling warmly as if she belonged there.As she mingled, the room around Carlos seemed to pulse with unease. Several of the guests, especially those from the firm, noticed her presence immediately. Murmurs began to spread through the crowd. What was she doing here? Car
Carlos clutched Abby’s lifeless body tighter, his breaths ragged and desperate. Blood stained his suit, but he didn’t care. The world around him blurred, his mind too clouded by grief to register anything beyond the cold, dead weight in his arms. Abby was gone, and there was nothing he could do to bring her back.A murmur rippled through the room. The guests, once frozen in shock, began to stir. Some whispered to each other, others backed away, horrified. Toby and Derek exchanged tense looks, unsure of what to do next. Derek’s hands trembled as he pulled out his phone, dialing for help. But in the back of their minds, they all knew it was too late.The door to the balcony creaked open, and for a fleeting second, the fresh air felt like a cruel reminder that life was still moving outside, despite the horror unfolding inside. Alisha stood near the door, leaning against the frame, her eyes fixed on Carlos. Her smirk had softened into something more calculated, almost like a predator watc
“Nobody moves!!!” The lead officer’s voice boomed through the room, his hand gripping the holster of his gun as the guests stiffened. Faces, pale with terror, were frozen in a grim tableau around Abby’s lifeless body. Carlos stood there, his heart still pounding in his chest, his knuckles white from clenching his fists. He hadn’t moved an inch since he let go of Alisha, his fury now tempered with cold, raw anguish.The officer stepped forward, his eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of movement. “We’re going to need to speak to everyone here,” he said, pulling out his notepad. “But first, I want to know— did anyone see what happened?”A murmur rippled through the group, but it was scattered, unfocused. Most were too shell-shocked to respond. Alisha, leaning casually against the wall now, met Carlos’s gaze with a thin smile, her expression unreadable. Carlos ignored her, his mind racing as his eyes fell on the shattered glass again. That man— the one who had given Abby the drink— wher
Carlos sat on the edge of the hospital bed, wincing as he tightened the bandages around his abdomen. His breathing was labored, every movement sending sharp pangs through his body. He glanced toward the door, knowing he had little time left before the nurse would return for another check. He turned to Toby, who stood by the window, watching the dark sky outside.“Toby,” Carlos muttered through gritted teeth. “I’ve got to leave tonight. I can’t stay here.”Toby spun around, his eyes wide. “Carlos, are you out of your mind? You can barely walk. The wound hasn’t even started healing properly. You’re in no condition to be out there.”Carlos shook his head, determination hardening his gaze. “I don’t have a choice, Toby. Senator Harvey will come for me. He’ll use every resource he has to find me, and when he does…” Carlos paused, taking a deep breath to push through the pain. “When he does, he’ll kill me.”Toby crossed the room, his expression full of worry. “Carlos, you’re not thinking str
Carlos stirred awake on the couch, blinking against the soft morning light that filtered through the small window. His body was stiff from the awkward sleeping position, and his side throbbed where the bandages clung to his skin. As he shifted to sit up, he realized Edith was already awake, sitting quietly in an armchair across from him, her hands resting on her lap, her gentle eyes studying him.“Good morning,” she said, her voice soft, almost maternal.Carlos blinked again, his thoughts groggy as he adjusted to the new reality of his surroundings. “Morning…” he muttered, rubbing his face with his hands. The events of the previous night came rushing back to him— the escape from the hospital, the train ride, the blood, and Edith’s unexpected kindness.“How did you sleep?” she asked, her tone genuine, filled with concern.Carlos stretched, wincing as the pain from his wound flared up again. “As well as I could, I guess. Thanks for… everything,” he said, glancing down at the fresh banda
Carlos sat back in the plush, worn armchair in Edith’s cozy living room, the fireplace crackling softly in the background. It had been nearly a week since he’d arrived at Edith’s doorstep, injured and desperate for refuge. Since then, the days had been quiet but comforting. Edith, with her nurturing demeanor and the warmth she offered, had created a safe space for him to heal, both physically and emotionally. Her cat, Molly, often curled up on the couch, her soft purring filling the room like a calming lullaby.Now, Carlos found himself engrossed in conversation with Edith, her lively voice drawing him in as she recounted stories from her past. The air between them was light, comfortable, as if they’d known each other for years rather than days. They’d both been through so much, and this quiet moment of sharing felt like a rare reprieve.“I was a dentist,” Edith said, her voice tinged with nostalgia as she looked down at her hands, her fingers tracing the edge of her teacup. “Well, re
Carlos called out to Edith, his voice low but steady. “It’s okay, Edith.”The words hung in the air, but Carlos could barely hear himself speak. His mind had frozen the moment he heard the name— Olivia.Olivia. A ghost from his past, one he’d tried so hard to pursue, but was impossible, and now crashing back into his life with just a knock on the door.He pressed his back harder against the wall, feeling his heart hammering wildly in his chest. He felt his wound pulse with every beat, his breathing shallow, as memories of Olivia flooded back. Her name had been a sealed chapter— until now. His hands trembled slightly as he wiped the sweat forming on his brow, but the flood of thoughts was relentless.How had she found him? Why now, after all this time? She'd made sure to disappear, to stay off the grid, when he was trying to find her. Even with the help of the US secret service. And after everything that had happened, after all the lives destroyed— his best friend, Trevon… Abby.He cle
Carlos crouched beside Molly, his hand gently stroking the cat’s soft fur as the weight of the moment pressed against his chest. The cat whimpered slightly, sensing the tension, and he let out a soft grunt, as though the simple act of bidding farewell to the cat tore at his insides. Molly’s eyes reflected the warmth and the connection they’d shared in such a brief time, but Carlos knew he had no choice but to leave.“Take care of her, Edith,” he said, his voice thick with sincerity. He rose slowly, turning toward the door. “And thank you. For everything.”Edith watched him, her arms crossed but her gaze soft. “I didn’t do it for you,” she replied flatly, but the underlying kindness in her voice betrayed her. She had risked more than she would ever admit, and Carlos understood that even though she claimed no attachment, there was a bond between them now. She had saved his life, and even though she acted like it didn’t matter, it clearly did. With one final nod, Carlos pushed open the d