Liam stopped the car and let out a slow breath.
The road ahead was quiet and wide, stretching into the grey morning, but his mind was still far away from here. Last night had not loosened its grip on him. Lilith's arms around him. Her scent. The way her lips had found his without asking. Her body pressed close like she belonged there and always had. It clung to him in flashes that refused to fade no matter how hard he tried to focus.
Beside him Lana shifted in her seat, legs crossed, one boot resting lightly against the dashboard. She looked relaxed but alert, eyes scanning the open space ahead. They were heading to Russia together, following Irina's call, and Liam already knew this trip would not be simple.
He glanced at his watch, brow lifting slightly. She was late.
Just as he opened his mouth to say something, the sound of footsteps reached them. Calm. Steady. Confident.
