Ignored All, Fell for One

nce, casting long shadows over the quiet street where Lena's café sat. But his focus wasn't on the peaceful hum

ind the counter, her hands wrapped around a coffee cup, fingers drumming lightly against the ceramic - a

aking her trance. She looked up, and for the briefest

, replaced by the guarded expres

marked, her voice steady b

by the window, leaning back."

ng her head. "I own the place.

smoothly, watching her reac

ned around the cup

r gaze flickered toward the front door as if expecting someone. The man from

other owe?" he asked,

body tensed.

tone sharper now. "I know who Moretti is. And I

e swallowed. "It's not

d. "I decide wha

m, heavy and unyielding. Then, Lena sighed,

, her voice barely above a whisper. "W

was already calculating. Sixty thousand wasn't an astronomical su

ent plans," he said. "Yo

ze dropping to the

ad, something fierce in her eyes. "But

You don't have a choice, Lena. Because whether you li

apped taut like a wire ready to break. Lena stiffened. Alexander's ey

ace. He wasn't as burly as the brawler from before, but something about him f

a Ca

her sides, but she lifted her c

person, but he had heard the name before. A collector. A man

his eyes. "Just a friendly check-in. Y

se, forcing herself to stay

nder, finally acknowledging his p

and unwavering. "Someone who d

idn't quite reach his expression. "Caref

is head. "That's w

face. He knew exactly who Alexander was - B

have three days. After that, Moret

t she didn't flinch.

d, satisfied.

ot to break the man's nose right there. Instead, he leane

oretti

brow. "And why

se I s

him, weighing his options. Then, with a

ed out, the door shutting behi

n the café, thick

ipping the counter for support.

his cuffs. "You should ha

thing unreadable swimmin

hat she had to tilt her head to

ed. "And if I do

gleam in his eyes. "Too bad,

tly, voice a whisp

ver l