Lucas’s POV
John’s voice dropped to a whisper, tight with nerves. “Boss… what are we going to do?”
I didn’t answer him right away.
My heart was still slamming violently against my ribs, every beat loud in my ears. The knock on the door echoed in my head like a gunshot I couldn’t outrun. She was right there. Avela. Six inches of wood between us and the truth I’d been hiding since the day I met her.
I lifted a finger to my lips, my eyes locking on John’s. “Keep it down,” I mouthed, then dragged my hand downward slowly, silently telling him to lower his voice.
John swallowed and nodded.
Then, to my horror, he turned toward the door.
“What are you doing?” I hissed, grabbing his sleeve.
He leaned in, voice barely audible. “We can’t just leave her standing out there, boss.”
I let go of
