The alley was a furnace of heat, tension, and the metallic tang of fear. Maylen’s pulse hammered in her ears as the masked intruder stepped closer, the flash drive glinting in their gloved hand. Every instinct screamed to run, but she couldn’t leave without the evidence. Without the truth.
Lanry positioned himself between her and the intruder, muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike. His eyes never left the masked figure. He was terrifyingly calm and impossibly protective all at once. Maylen’s chest tightened, caught between relief and the familiar, maddening pull he had on her.
Aiden stood to the side, phone raised, fingers hovering over controls. His calm precision radiated confidence, but Maylen noticed a flicker of concern cross his face as he scanned the shadows above.
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