AVA
The vibration on my nightstand yanked me from a shallow, dreamless sleep. Gray light pressed against the curtains like it had something to say but couldn’t be bothered to speak clearly. 7:12 a.m. My phone screen glowed with a single message from an unknown number I already knew belonged to Viktor.
Neutral ground. The Shard, private lounge, noon sharp. Come alone.
I stared at the words until they blurred. My thumb hovered over the keyboard. Last night’s argument with Daniel still burned behind my ribs.
I gave it thirty seconds of thought… staring at the ceiling crack that looked like a crooked smile and typed back: The Shard lounge. Noon. Public section, not private. I pick the table. You come alone or the deal dies before it starts.
Send.
I swung my legs out of bed, the marble fl
