What if it wasn't Quentin?
I glanced at my computer. Opened the timeline again.
Started cross-referencing Big Sal's movements with everyone else's.
Carlo. Silvio. Aunt Filomena. Business associates. Rival families.
If Quentin didn't do it, someone did.
And I needed to figure out who.
∞∞∞
That afternoon, Quentin introduced me to someone new.
"Julia, this is Serenity Jones. She's joining the security team."
I glanced up from my desk to find a woman in her late twenties watching me with unsettling intensity. Beautiful. Blond hair. Blue eyes. Confident. And something else—something that made my skin prickle.
"Pleasure to meet you," I said, extending my hand.
Serenity took it. Her grip was firm, her palm warm.
And then her eyes went distant. Like she was seeing something I couldn't.
My heart lurched.
"Serenity is a psychic," Quentin said with a smile. “I know it’s hard to believe, but she’s proven herself.”
Psychic. Oh crap.
"That's... interesting." I tried to pull my hand back, but Serenity held on for another moment.
"You're carrying something heavy," she said softly. "A burden. Secrets that are tearing you apart."
The words landed like a punch.
I forced a laugh. "Isn't everyone carrying something?"
"Some burdens are heavier than others." Serenity finally released my hand, but her gaze stayed locked on mine. "Be careful, Julia. The truth you're seeking might destroy you."
She knows. Somehow, she knows.
"I'm just here to do my job." I shrugged, trying to sound casual.
"Mmm." Serenity tilted her head. "If you say so."
Quentin frowned slightly. "Everything okay?"
"Fine." Serenity turned to him. "Just getting a sense of the team. Julia's energy is very... conflicted. Lots of internal war."
"Can you blame her? This is only her second week and she's already dealing with my complicated life."
"I suppose not."
Quentin met my gaze. "Stone’s been in some trouble lately, and Serenity’s helping us out, so you’ll be seeing a lot of her.”
My brows rose. “Stone? In trouble?”
