Engines come to life, one by one.
I swing on and Violet climbs on behind me instantly.
As we pull away, I glance once in the mirror.
Salazar stands in the warehouse doorway, blood on his mouth, men at his back.
Rage sitting just under his skin.
Good.
Rage clouds judgment.
And I just made this personal.
Next time, he doesn’t stand back up.
Chapter 10
Violet
Thecabinfeelsdifferentwhen we walk back in.
Quieter.
He locks the door behind us without looking at me.
I slide out of my coat and hang it by the door. My fingers fumble with the zipper for a second before I still them. Boots next. I toe them off and leave them by the wall.
My phone buzzes before I can say anything.
Lyla.
I answer immediately.
“I’m home,” she says. Her voice is tired but steady. “Tank dropped me off. Made sure I got inside.”
Relief hits hard enough that I have to lean against the wall.
“Are you okay?”
“I will be.” A pause. “You came.”
“Always,” I say, before I think about it.
Silence stretches between us.
“I’m really sorry about last night,” she says quietly.
“I know.”
We don’t get into it.
“Lock your doors,” I say.
“I already did.”
We hang up.
