Author’s POV

Gray’s car screeched to a halt in front of the warehouse district. The sea breeze from the docks carried the stench of rust, oil, and damp wood. His men spilled out behind him, armed, tense, shadows stretching under the orange streetlights.

Gray shoved his door open, his coat whipping in the wind as he barked, “Spread out. Don’t slack for a second. If anyone lets her slip, you answer to me.”

The men didn’t argue. They knew better.

He cocked his gun, the weight ...