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Chapter 5

Daniel always smells like cedarwood and money. Tonight, there's something else; a tension under his smile, a stiffness in the way he kisses my cheek.

Long day? I ask as we settle into the booth at Aurelia's, the kind of restaurant where the walls are padded and secrets stay hidden.

Just business, he replies, waving off the question, but his eyes flick toward the door twice before the waiter even arrives.

I sip my wine and pretend not to notice, but my mind is racing. Adrian's words have been looping in my head for days: Daniel's about to lose something very big.

Halfway through dinner, Daniel's phone buzzes. He checks it, and for a split second, the mask slips, his jaw tightens, and his eyes narrow.

"You need to go," he says suddenly.

What?

I'll call you tomorrow, Just go now!

The way he says it makes my skin prickle. I stand slowly, clutching my clutch, trying to read his face, but he’s already waving over the waiter for the check.

Outside, the night air is sharp. I'm halfway to the curb when I hear raised voices from around the corner. I know I should keep walking, but curiosity has never been my safest habit. I step closer, my heels clicking against the wet pavement.

It’s Daniel. His voice is low but harsh, speaking to a man I don’t recognize; tall, in an expensive suit, with a face like carved stone.

You can't just walk away from this, the man says.

I've already told you, Daniel stops mid-sentence when the man's hand lands hard on his shoulder.

Don't test me, you've got one week.

The man walks off, disappearing into the darkness. Daniel stays there for a moment, breathing hard, before he turns and heads back inside without noticing me.

Back in my apartment, I pour myself a drink and sit on the bed, staring at the city lights. A week?One week for what?

My phone buzzes. There's no name on the screen, just a message:

"Still think I'm wrong about him?"

I don't reply. I just close my eyes because for the first time since I met Daniel, I'm starting to believe I don't know who's protecting me... and who's setting me up.