Adeline’s POV

The sun came pale and thin, slipping through the curtains like guilt.

For a moment, I forgot.

Then I smelled espresso on my skin.

Antonio Russo was dead.

Heart attack. Natural. Clean. Exactly as planned.

I’d done what I was paid to do.

No traces. No witnesses. No second chances.

Kayden stirred beside me. His eyes found mine, storm-grey and too awake for morning.

“You were gone last night.”

“I couldn’t sleep,” I said. “Went for a drive.”

“Alone?”

“I ...