By the time Rafael left her apartment, the city was deep in that hour where only predators moved easily.
Emilia watched from the window as his bike roared down the slick street, taillight a red pulse in the dark.
She didn’t like the way he’d looked at her before leaving. Not with distrust–that was expected. But with something heavier. A man weighing his next move.
Her phone buzzed.
Nora: Cesare’s men are moving again. Orders came down an hour ago. Looks like they’re about to squeeze.
Emilia’s fingers tightened around the glass in her hand. Cesare didn’t waste time when he smelled blood in the water.
###
Rafael – The Alley
He cut through backstreets on his way to the docks, the rain slicing into his face. He’d intended to let the phone call go– write it off as a stunt– but it kept c
