Bruno had promised to come to my apartment tonight, and earlier, the bullies outside the company building had made their intentions disturbingly clear—declaring they would “finish what they started” as though my life were something they could simply resume at will.
Perhaps they assumed I would run. That I would hide somewhere unfamiliar, somewhere less predictable.
But Zara needed stability. Rest. A place she knew. And there was no place safer, no place more manageable for her than my home.
I would not let their fear dictate mine.
I would report it. Go home. And face whatever was waiting there.
A soft hum cut through the tension.
The Uber.
I heard the car slow, then the faint click of unlocking doors.
“Come here, sweetheart,” I murmured immediately.
Carefully, I lifted her into my arms.
Her heat pressed instantly into my chest, her fever burning through my blouse like an open flame.
I adjusted my grip instinctively, one arm supporting her back, the other cradling her legs.
She made a small, tired sound but didn’t resist.
Just melted into my hold as if she had no energy left to do anything else.
I slid into the back seat and settled her fully on my lap, repositioning her so her head rested against my chest.
“There you go,” I whispered, lowering my voice until it was barely above breath. “We’re safe now. Just rest.”
The door closed behind us.
The car started moving.
For a moment, I focused only on Zara’s breathing.
Uneven at first.
Then slowly... a little steadier.
She nuzzled closer to me, her fever-warm cheek pressing against my chest, her grip loosening slightly as exhaustion overtook her.
A few seconds passed in silence.
Then—
A familiar scent reached me, and my awareness sharpened instantly.
My body reacted before my mind could catch up.
I knew that scent.
Not exactly—but it was close enough to make my pulse stumble.
Since losing my sight, my other senses had sharpened to compensate. I recognized people by the cadence of their footsteps, the timbre of their voices, the subtle scents they carried with them.
And this man smelled like Ramiro.
