Aria's POV
I sprang up, all traces of pain vanishing. I yanked my suitcase out, scooped Lana into my arms, and bolted for the alternate exit.
That glint in that clerk's eyes wasn't friendliness, It was calculation.
And I knew danger when I smelled it.
I bypassed the elevator and tore into the stairwell. The dim green emergency lights cast eerie shadows as my pulse pounded against my ribs.
I reached the ground floor and peered cautiously around the corner.
My heart lurched.
The front desk was empty.
Moments ago, it had been bustling. Now it was deserted.
They were probably hunting me.
Fear clenched around my ribs. I crouched low and slipped out the side exit as fast as I could.
But my frantic movements caught someone's attention, a waiter.
"There! She's there!"
His shout erupte
