The sky was dark when Elena left the mansion.
She waited until Lucian was gone. She told Marco she was going to buy something for the kitchen, and he did not ask more questions.
The air outside felt cold. Her hands were inside her coat pockets. Her mind was heavy.
Marcus had sent her a message that morning.
We need to meet. Now. It’s about Lucian.
He asked to meet in the same place as before — La Rosé Restaurant.
The rain was falling again. The city lights looked blurry through it.
When she got there, Marcus was already sitting at the corner table. His coat was dark, his hair wet.
He looked up as soon as she walked in.
“You came,” he said.
Elena nodded. “You said it was urgent.”
“It is.”
She sat down. “What did you find?”
Marcus looked around before he spoke. His voice was qui
