My skin goes cold.
“The diner girl?” the other man asks.
“Yeah. Talia.”
My name sounds dirty in his mouth.
“She’s not a problem,” Landon says. “I’ll handle her after tonight.”
The other man shrugs. “Salazar wants no mistakes. Fix this.”
My knees weaken.
Shadow’s arm wraps around my waist, holding me steady. I hate that I need it. I hate more that it feels good.
The men go back inside.
The door shuts.
For a second, neither of us moves.
Then I shove at Shadow’s chest.
“I have to get her.”
“We will.”
“No. Now.”
“No.”
Anger flashes hot enough to cut through the fear.
“She’s my sister.”
“And if you run in there, they’ll have both of you.”
I know he’s right.
I hate him for it anyway.
My eyes burn, and I look away before he can see.
“I can’t leave her.”
“You’re not.” His voice lowers. “You’re staying alive long enough to get her out.”
Somewhere behind us, a shout cuts through the garden.
A sharp crack splits the night.
Stone explodes from the wall beside us.
I stare at the chips falling to the gravel.
Gunshot.
Shadow curses, grabs my hand, and pulls me into a run.
