Anna's POV:

The way he says it—"I brought you a surprise, Anna"—lands with a particular deliberate weight, and something in the controlled brightness of his expression makes my spine go taut.

'He's going to say something,' Nicole murmurs, alert behind my ribs.

'I know.' I keep my face neutral. 'Stay calm.'

She settles, but doesn't relax. Neither do I.

Simon reaches into the inner pocket of his jacket and draws out a ...