Alina’s POV
She turned, eyes narrowing. “Alina,” she said, voice smooth, almost playful. “I knew you’d show up eventually. You can’t hide forever.”
“I’m not hiding,” I replied, keeping my voice level. “I’m watching. And I know everything.”
Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. “Everything, huh? That’s ambitious. Dangerous, even. You think you understand me?”
“I understand enough,” I said. “Enough to know that whatever you do next, you’ll regret it.”
She tilted her head, considering me. “Brave,” she said softly. “Or foolish.”
“Maybe both,” I admitted. “But Leo sleeps inside, and you will not touch him.”
Her eyes flicked toward the car, then back to me. The first crack of hesitation I had been waiting for.
We circled each other slowly, a predator and a predator-in-training. Ev
