*Michael*

The next morning, I woke with the sunrise, the first rays of brilliant orange spilling through the billowing curtains. My heart raced with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension about meeting up with Reggie later. So much rested on his undercover mission's success.

I slipped quietly out of bed, not wanting to disturb Shelby's rest. Her ankle was still swollen and sore, a constant reminder of the unexplained events that had brought Reggie to the ...