The night air carried the scent of salt and diesel.
Pier 14 stretched out like a dark, skeletal arm into the churning water. The docks were mostly silent, save for the occasional groan of metal and the slap of waves against the pilings.
Elena kept her hands shoved into her coat pockets, her nerves wound tight. She’d protested coming, but Damian’s reply had been simple, If I can’t see you, I can’t protect you.
Now, with every step onto the weathered planks, she wasn’t sure if this was protection… or a trap she’d walked into willingly.
Damian walked ahead, flanked by two of his men. Their shadows stretched long in the glow of the dock lights. Every few seconds, he glanced over his shoulder at her, checking, measuring, making sure she hadn’t vanished into the mist.
“Stay behind me,” he m
