Those whispers used to bounce right off Joseph like rain on a tin roof—he never gave 'em the time of day. But tonight? Different story. This hookup, this whole deal—it was big for him, for the whole Lewis pack. Couldn't afford a single dent in the shine.
One flick of his eyes, and his shadows melted into the crowd, handling the chatter like pros.
Joseph's lip curled, that half-grin thing he does, but then—bam—his boots glued to the floor.
Zoe clocked it, tilting her head all curious. "Joseph? What's up?"
His gaze slid slow, pinning her face like a bug on a board.
"How'd he know... about your zen nook?"
Zoe's mug went white as a sheet.
Before she could squeak a word, the buzz kicked up behind 'em—fresh fuel.
"That's Brian, right? Damn, never pegged the shadow-lurker for such a young
