My pulse pounds hard enough to hurt.
“How do you even know someone is here?”
“That doesn’t matter right now.”
Another knock echoes through the apartment. I glance toward the door, nerves winding tighter with every second.
“Nova.” His voice sharpens slightly. “Listen to me for once.”
I hate the way he says it. Calm. Certain. Like obedience is inevitable. Like he already knows exactly what I’m going to do before I do it.
Which is exactly why I don’t listen.
Before I can think better of it, I pull the phone from my ear and walk toward the door.
“Nova.”
A warning now.
I ignore him.
Dim hallway light spills beneath the frame as I reach for the lock. My hand hesitates for half a second before I twist it open.
And immediately feel ridiculous.
Mrs. Alvarez from 4B blinks at me from th
