ELENA’S POV
The headlights behind us grew brighter, filling the back window with a harsh white light. My heart jumped into my throat, pounding so loudly it drowned out the hum of the engine.
“Dante,” I whispered, my fingers tightening around Luca’s shoulders. “Tell me that’s not….”
“It is.” His voice was flat, controlled, but his eyes in the reflection were anything but calm. Hard. Focused. A predator scenting blood.
Luca stirred against me, half-asleep, blinking at the glow flooding the car. “Mom? Why’s that car so close?”
“Shh, sweetheart.” My hand smoothed over his hair though my own fingers trembled. “It’s nothing.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. Nothing? No….this was everything.
Dante’s hand shifted inside his jacket, brushing over the weapon I knew he carried. That simple
