Riley Cooper
The SUV glided to a stop outside a nondescript warehouse, its weathered concrete facade a stark contrast to the glittering marina we'd just passed. As Nico smoothly exited the driver's seat and came around to Alessia's door, I felt a knot of tension form in my stomach. This was a side of my best friend's world I'd not seen yet.
I followed Alessia out of the car, hanging back a couple of paces as she strode purposefully towards the entrance. The heavy scent of sea salt mingled with diesel fumes, a reminder of how close we were to the industrial docks. Nico fell into step behind me, his presence a silent but palpable force at my back.
As Alessia ducked under the partially raised shutter, I couldn't help but notice how the atmosphere inside the warehouse shifted. The cacophony
