Juliette POV
“It’s not a request,” the man said, his voice low but sharp, cutting through the murmur of the café like a knife.
I froze, my heart thundering in my chest as his words echoed in my ears. The photo of Lily on his phone burned into my mind, a cruel reminder of just how vulnerable we were. My hands trembled at my sides, my body unable to move as fear rooted me in place.
Alex stepped in front of me, his broad shoulders squaring up to the masked man. “She’s not going anywhere with you,” Alex said firmly, his voice steady and protective.
The man’s eyes flicked to Alex, and a chilling smile curved on his lips. “This isn’t your business, hero,” he sneered. “So, why don’t you step aside before you regret it?”
“I make it my business when someone like you threatens her,” Alex snappe
