Chapter 24: The Hunt
The penthouse feels smaller after Sofia’s confession, like the walls are leaning in, listening. I stand at the window for a long time, watching the city wake up below us—taxis crawling like insects, lights blinking out one by one as morning takes over. Bella is in the kitchen making coffee, the normal sound of it grounding me more than anything else could right now. The machine hisses, cups clink, and when she brings me one, her fingers brush mine on purpose.
“Black, no sugar,” she says quietly. “The way you like it when you’re about to do something stupid.”
I take the cup, let the heat seep into my palms. “Not stupid. Necessary.”
She leans against the counter beside me. “Sofia gave us the locker number at Grand Central. Drop point for the next payment. If Vanessa
