Lila’s POV
I raced up the creaky stairs to Serena’s apartment, my heart pounding from her tear-choked call. And the urgency in her voice had me ditching my plans for a flirty ice cream date without a second thought.
Serena wasn’t one to break, not the fiery woman who danced with her chin high, but hearing her sob about Victor Crane threatening Mia sent a chill through me. I pushed open the apartment door, and found her in the kitchen,looking like a crumpled mess against the counter, tears streaking her face, her arm bruised purple.
“Serena!” I dropped my bag, rushing to her side, my boots slipping on spilled coffee. She looked small, fragile, her T-shirt clinging to her trembling frame, a far cry from the queen who’d rocked that red dress last night.
I knelt, placing my hands gently
