BACK IN THE HIDEOUT:
Marie’s eyes snapped wide. Tess stood fast. Feet apart. Log lifted high, both hands gripping it tight, muscles flexing under the black leather. Ready to swing, ready to attack whoever or whatever it was that had pushed the door in such a manner.
The door burst open. Angelo stomped in—one dusty, unlaced boot first, then the other.
His boots hit the concrete hard. Hair rough and sandy, tangled with dirt. Clothes dusty and torn, like he’d crawled through gravel or fought someone. A fresh cut bled above his left eyebrow. Red eyes, bloodshot, wild, darted from Tess to Marie, then back to Tess.
Marie took two quick steps back. Her back hit the wall. Palms pressed flat behind her thighs, against the wall. The cold concrete stung her skin. She had never seen Angelo like th
