The night was thick—smoke curling into the dark sky, mixing with the taste of fear in the air. Sirens wailed far off, red and blue lights painting the distance, but none of that mattered now.
Rose had her arms wrapped tight around Anna in the backseat of the SUV. Her sister was barely conscious, limp and cold against her. Cassian was on the other side, jaw tight, hand locked with Rose's like if he let go, she’d disappear.
Marcello drove like he was possessed, eyes on the road, jaw clenched so tight you could see the vein in his temple throb. The engine roared, tires screeching on the sharp turns through the empty Italian streets.
Anna hadn’t spoken. Not a word. She just breathed—shallow and ragged—and Rose counted every damn breath like it was the only thing tethering her to sanity.
“I
