SHATTERED CHAINS, BOUND HEARTS

t-time. The space smelled faintly of paint and varnish, and the gentle hum of conversation fr

e her nerves. Her mind replayed yesterday's meeting with the whistleblower, her vo

le

standing by the entrance. His brows were knit together

rcing a smile. "Jus

l, there's a delivery in the back room. Could

n the corner, the lid slightly ajar. She opened it carefully, revealing a large

ith hidden figures blending into the shadows. But what c

ne Bla

-

one of Manhattan's tallest buildings. She had spent the morning re

r, scrolling through his phone. "You

I'll sleep when they've pa

thought vengeance was su

ne buzzed. The name on the screen

x-hus

ering over the screen, before

ul as ever, "I heard you've been... active late

tightened. "Stay out

th amusement. "You'll come after me? You're

" she cut in sharpl

eyebrow. "He does

vienne said cold

-

k here, and why hadn't Mr. Roth mentioned it? Curiosity burned in her chest, so sh

tha

, sounding surprised

heard of Vivi

n a sharp intake of br

g at the gallery.

ivienne Blackwell is dangerous. If her name i

ed. "Dang

ng betrayed by her own family. There are whispers she's c

ened. "So, what doe

s voice dropping, "that you

-

urther. After locking up the gallery, she pulled out her came

down her spine. Hidden within the vibrant cityscape were numbe

heart racing. What was Viv

her phone buzzed with a text.

head. Walk away be

ood ra

-

st the desk. She had received an alert that her painting had been moved

ous," Vivie

her, raised an eyebrow. "And

t you killed," Vi

rd. "So what's the

lips. "We'll see how far she's willing to go.

-

city's outskirts. She debated calling Nathan but decided

with the scent of rust and decay. She clutched her ca

arded machinery. But as she ventured deeper, she st

e laptop. The photos showed the same men from Nathan

e after picture. This was evidence, pro

ave, the sound of foots

a voice drawled

l man with sharp features and

o mind your own business,"

ct, a familiar figur

nne said, her voice

mirked. "You're playing a

rdered, her ga

ked off and disappea

r expression unreadable. "Yo

. "And you're not wh

faint smile. "Let's just say

dn't shake the feeling that her life had just b

t, Elena receiv

. Now you'll have to liv