THE SECRETS WE KEEP

oat as Detective James Barrett

a chilling calm. Adrian’s gaze s

arkening wit

’s voice was a mix of shock and

thr

ated. “I’m afraid your father’s

too close to the tr

dy tense and ready to spring

ret

an. “Simple. The evidence you’

you’ll all walk o

rmined, stepped forward. “You t

always c

ing eerily in the confined spac

is gun back to Adrian

for a way out. The safe house

She met Adrian’s eyes, trying

pl

r a brief moment, conveying his

ut a flash drive. “This is

s gun never waveri

across the table. Barrett caught

sn’t tha

o darkness as the power cut ou

de, casting long shadows thro

, she felt a hand grab hers,

her ear, his breath warm against

recise and

e surging through her veins.

ffled grunts and the thud of bod

where nearby,

et out of her

en around her hand, leading h

r layout of the safe house. Bar

fusion gave them a s

emerging into the cold night.

relief. Adrian pulled Emma

aid, his voice barely audible

ind

face set in determination. “The

regroup

d streets, their footsteps echo

a maze of danger and uncertain

that Barrett had been work

ty, they reached the second sa

orhood. Adrian keyed in a cod

ollapsed onto the worn furni

his eyes filled with co

till trembled from the adrenal

ld

pression grim. “We underestima

e have to

oked at Emma, a silent promise

mma. To

as interrupted by the urgent

pression darkening. “They’re

me

also a steely resolve. “Then

t s

ading it on the table. “There

orkings of both families. If we

eces of th

. He’s deep in Harrington terri

g a spark of determination. “W

nish

his touch reassuring. “A

pable, the stakes higher than e

ve, every detail cruc

ared to leave, a loud crash ec

nd a group of mask

ehind him, his eyes

d, his voice cold and menacin

raised his gun. She glanced at

despera

pulled off his mask, reveal

d Sinclair, A

id, his smile chilling.

d betrayal clear on his face. "

re

ained, but his eyes were col

go up against the Harringtons

belong with

forward, her voice defiant. "

ly's secrets have c

assessing her. "Ah, the journali

persistence ca

Vanessa, who had been watchin

reunion, Richard. Wha

evidence you've gathered. All o

lk out of h

g protectively in front of Emm

can't contro

"I had hoped it wouldn't come

orward, wea

hest. She glanced at Vanessa,

te. Emma’s thoughts were a whir

for

Emma said, trying to keep her vo

ple will know w

ng sound. "The truth? The truth

th is you're all i

filled the air, growing louder

d's smile faltered

oment. "Looks like

ry. "This isn't over." He mot

ppearing into the early mornin

nt longer, his eyes locking w

thicker t

owed his men into the darknes

a heavy silen

s trembling. "Are you okay?" s

i

ession was still troubled. "Ye

rous than

face set in grim determinatio

we are, othe

et to the informant before t

longings, every second countin

ong shadows on the walls. They

s, their destination clea

e alleys of Caldwell City, the

aware of the ticking clock, b

awing at th

hey reached an old, abandoned

was eerily silent, every creak o

rn

place?" Emma whispered, he

s jaw set. "This

air thick with dust and decay. A

, back turn

the man said, h

his eyes narrowing. "W

e lined with age and worry. "Tr

cla

un down her spine. "

uel. I know the secrets bot

n comes at

f cash, tossing it to Samuel. "

it in his hand before nodding. "

change ev

her heart poundi

rvously. "There’s a third play

s from the start. They’re the

ma

n around her. "Who?" she d

loser, his voice barely above a

ding information to the high

the feud’s

laudia. She's been under o

ermination. "We need to find he

ne

l. Claudia is more dangerous

ll to keep her

in the air, a grim reminder o

d of approaching footsteps

Vanessa urged, her e

, but as they reached the door

blocking

o's voice was smooth, dripping

a littl

hey had walked right into a tr

next move could mean the diff

udia raised her gun, aiming it

nali

h the warehouse. Emma’s world t

e sense of what

Claudia, the gun skidding ac

ut everything seeme

darkness claimed her was Adri

as he fought