Alone.
The word wouldn't leave me alone.
It echoed through every thought, every breath, every beat of my heart.
Come alone.
I stared at the photo on my phone.
Maya slept on the couch, a blanket tucked beneath her chin. At first glance it looked harmless.
Then I noticed the angle.
The picture had been taken from outside.
Someone had been standing less than ten feet from our living room window.
Watching.
Waiting.
My stomach twisted.
Lucien stood across the room, eyes fixed on the screen. His expression had gone dangerously still.
"No."
The single word carried enough force to stop anyone else from arguing.
Unfortunately, I wasn't anyone else.
"If I don't go," I said carefully, "they keep coming after Maya."
"They can try."
His voice was calm.
That somehow made it worse.
I
