The Magnificent Mile glowed under the late afternoon sun, its boutiques and department stores buzzing with weekend shoppers. Sayrn Sauns and Mia Torres wove through the crowd, their arms heavy with bags from their shopping spree—new boots for Sayrn, a scarf and earrings for Mia. At twenty-eight, with her RN degree earned earlier this year, Sayrn was accustomed to the high-stakes chaos of Chicago General’s ER, but today’s escape with Mia offered a rare lightness. Yet, the prickle of unease from earlier lingered, a shadow cast by Daniel Isiah’s dangerous world and the looming threat of Rocco Varga, his old mentor turned rival.
Mia, her dark curls bouncing, nudged Sayrn with a mischievous grin. “Okay, Sauns, we’ve got boots and jackets, but I’m thinking we need something… spicier for your ma
