she still wore the mask of sorrow her face pale, her eyes distant, and her demeanor subdued. Despite

offered to accompany her, but Ariel re

d, his voice thick with concern. The furrow in his brow and the tight clench of his

l. "You can just add a GPS tracker to my ca

everyone fall silent. It wasn't app

seat. Her mother stood on the porch, weeping silently as the car pulled away, whi

ice, the client he had just finis

el," Damon

go," she replied, not even

Ariel to stretch her supposed time with him. A one-hour therapy session could easily

before leading her through the secluded

our car?" she asked

ed in r

ning her steps. She wanted to r

driver's seat . Ariel took the passenger seat

calm that belied its weight. Damo

market stand? What a

hey were running an errand for groceries. "I did a little digging on you. Turns out y

and and an eerie smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Anyway, that

help you?" Damon's voice

moothly, glancing out the window. "We're alr

hands on the wheel, "you could h

hen turned to him, her voice soften

m closer until their foreheads touched and the tips of their

" she whispered. "Consider thi

gain. Damon stared at her for a mome

rked discreetly outside. The streets were tight, the kin

ly what she was looking for and navigated the black market stalls with quiet confidence. The v

ind of place that boasted private dining rooms for clients who valued discretion. Ariel booked one without hesitation

hot oil and salt immediately filling the room. Damon opted for a soft drin

use your skills to find out the most distant members of the

hat kind of information wou

ow. But I can't go there. If I show up, my

records computer system?" he asked, h

he repli

hand through his hair. "Girl,

cker. I heard you breached the country's security system once, then disappea

e and crisped potatoes. Damon exhaled a long breath and st

atures, casting a faint light over her face. There was something about the way she sat, so absorbed in her own world that captivated him. The gentle curve of her posture, her lips slightly pursed in concentration, was almost mesmerizi