THE SECRETS WE KEEP

vision slowly clearing. The ce

oner the only sound. She blink

udia, the gunshot—everything

s a sharp pain sho

ice was gentle but firm. He was

with

her voice weak. "What

king her hand in his. "We’re in

ou were hit, but it’s just a graze

ged side, relief mixing with

stration evident in his voice. "

at

ng strength from his presence

lif

is thumb gently brushing over h

ou, Emma. You're to

derstanding passing between th

he unspoken emotions final

trembling slightly. "I… I need t

isk everyth

"Because you matter to me mor

, I knew you were special. You

m a challenge. I ad

emotion. "I feel the same way a

n things got dangerous. I don

out

nd cupping her cheek. "You don'

ere with yo

to shrink, the air charged w

s lips hovered jus

ispered, her voi

s met in a tender, yet passionat

imed, their connection deepenin

an’s neck, pulling him closer as

e past few weeks melted away,

d fee

both were breathless, their fo

so long," Adrian adm

essed, a shy smile

interrupted by a knock at t

worried. "Adrian, Em

k kiss to Emma's forehead befo

n tense. "We need to regroup.

rous now that we

surge of determination.

eyes serious. "We need to fin

tting her next move. We have t

tective instincts flaring. "We n

gets in her way. We need to

first, Emma needs to recove

tak

solve hardening. "I won’t let t

ather, and for all t

again, squeezing gently.

n staying by Emma's side. They

laughter filling the room and

amidst

nto the old Sinclair estate?"

amuse

s head. "How could I forget

t think I've ever run

nd free. "I thought for sure we

of there witho

g as he looked at her. "I’d do a

a hand on his cheek. "And

lled with unspoken promises a

ut beneath the surface, the d

e battle they

nd themselves drawing closer,

ey fell asleep wrapped in each

h in th

dawn filtering through the curtai

t to hers. For a moment, she al

ent, but reality

ening around her. "Morning," h

ee

r heart full. "We should ge

her forehead before sitting up.

nessa burst into the room, her

kipped a beat.

er, her hands shaking. "This w

s a message

narrowing as he read it aloud

lone, or everyone you c

ran cold. "

nto the old Sinclair estate?"

amuse

s head. "How could I forget

t think I've ever run

nd free. "I thought for sure we

of there witho

g as he looked at her. "I’d do a

a hand on his cheek. "And

lled with unspoken promises a

ut beneath the surface, the d

e battle they

nd themselves drawing closer,

ey fell asleep wrapped in each

h in th

dawn filtering through the curtai

t to hers. For a moment, she al

ent, but reality

ening around her. "Morning," h

ee

r heart full. "We should ge

her forehead before sitting up.

nessa burst into the room, her

kipped a beat.

er, her hands shaking. "This w

s a message

narrowing as he read it aloud

lone, or everyone you c

ran cold. "

"I know. But we have n

ermination. "Then we’ll go toge

as pl

resolve battling within her. "We

s gaze steady. "We will, Emm

tation ahead, the weight of thei

s, but their bond was stronger

them, ready to unveil the final

their families

City, casting long shadows ov

their greatest challenge yet.

mbol of the secrets and betraya

me

y stepped forward, their heart

, they knew they wo

grand doors, they swung open

dimly lit foyer, a sin

er eyes glittering with