The following morning we left.
The city was still half-asleep.
Mist clung to the streets like a veil, and the sky was painted in bruised shades of gray. Valen’s men moved with quiet efficiency, loading bags into the sleek black SUVs lined outside the estate. No one spoke unless it was necessary. No one looked at me for longer than a second.
I wasn’t sure if it was respect, suspicion, or some strange mixture of both.
Valen stood near the car, his phone pressed to his ear, murmuring something in Italian. His hand sliced the air as he gave quick orders. His other hand, though the one not occupied,never strayed far from me. Like even in command, even in chaos, he had to feel my presence tethering him down.
When his gaze finally found mine, it softened. Only a fraction,only enough for me t
