The weight of Marcus’ words sank into me like a stone dropped into a deep, dark well. You’re going to kill. The phrase kept playing in my head, disbelief gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. Marcus—the man who trained me to defend myself, who taught me true power lies in restraint—was ordering a hit?
I barely had time to process it before the man and woman nodded curtly, pocketed their photos, and turned to leave. Panic surged through me. If they came out now, they’d see me, no question. My heart pounded as I searched for a place to hide, but there wasn't time.
The door creaked open.
I ducked into the shadow of a nearby rack holding training equipment, crouching low and pressing myself against the wall. My hands shook as I peeked out from between the dumbbells. The man walked out first,
