wipers couldn't clear fast enough. Valeria drove through the empty streets, her hands gripping the ste

sleepless years. Ever since Marcus died. Ever sinc

warehouse floor, his eyes wide with shock. "Run, Val," he'd whispered w

the most wanted woman in the underground world. No idea that half the crime families in the country would kill to get their hand

minal organization, every government o

Sy

more than entire countries. One device that could rewrite the balance of power across the world. Governments would kill for

retinal scanner was programmed to rec

ar

ent brown eyes, so much like Marcus's, were the only thing standing between chao

oming, she'd programmed the weapon to recognize only Elara's unique retinal pattern. If something happen

Elara asked, her voice sleep

anymore. Not for them. Not anywhere in the world. She'd tried Canada, Mexico, even a remote vil

ing a losing battle against the storm. Lightning split the sky, illuminating

en minutes ago? It was hard to tell in this weather, but her instincts were screaming danger. After three years of

ce, never getting closer, never falling b

nd making her jump. A text from an unknown numb

uld clear her name and let her live in peace. The documents that showed she'd been trying to destroy

food last week. The gas station where she'd filled up the car. The motel where they'd spent the ni

For the chance, however small, tha

" Elara whispered

passing streetlights. Her heart broke a little more. Elara shouldn't have to live like t

e," she said, trying to make her voice s

ith her bare hands when she had to. She'd built a criminal empire from nothing but determina

just a mother trying to protect her child. And mothers, she'd learned, could

w. Ten minutes to decide if she was d

s appeared ou

at them like a missile. No attempt to brake. No swerve to avoi

out of control, tires screaming against the wet asphalt,

LA