The man moved forward.
Sonia’s breath caught, every muscle tensed. Her fingers ached from clutching the file, this file that could bring everything crashing down or save them all, depending on whose hands held it.
Eric’s hand found hers in the darkness behind the broken statue.
“Stay behind me,” he whispered, his voice low but trembling, like he was trying to sound braver than he felt. His eyes, shadowed but steady, met hers. He was trying so hard to be her shield, her protector.
She wanted to protest. She wanted to stand beside him and fight this together, not hide like she’d done all her life. But the desperation in his eyes made her swallow her pride. He needed this to feel like he could keep her safe, even if just for a moment.
“I know you’re here,” the man said, “And I’m not leav
