The gun in my purse was heavier than I expected.
Cold,
Silent,
Waiting like a heartbeat I could neither ignore nor fully trust. I hadn’t told anyone I had it, not Valen, not a single soul. Especially not him.
It hadn’t been mine originally. Maya had pressed it into my hands days ago, her eyes sharp, voice low: “If it comes down to it… you’ll need this. For protection,for survival. For both of us.”
I nodded, gripping it tightly. It was meant to be hers, meant to protect her when she couldn’t protect herself,but now, it was mine to carry, mine to use. And every time I brushed my fingers along the zipper, I felt the weight of that responsibility pressing against my ribs.
The black SUV carried us silently toward the Moretti estate. The driver didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. I already kn
