She tasted blood.
Mara screamed then—raw, furious sound tearing out of her as she drove her knee up between the man’s legs.Not the direct hit she was going for because he anticipated the move, and turned, but enough that his grip loosened.
She wrenched free, slammed through the stairwell door, and ran.
She took the steps two at a time, lungs burning, pain screaming through her side.Halfway up, she jammed a shaking hand into her pocket.
The USB was still there.
Relief hit so hard it nearly dropped her to her knees.
She burst back out onto the street, sucking in cold night air—and nearly collided with someone stepping out of the shadows.
Strong hands closed around her arms.
She screamed again, swinging wildly.
Then the grip vanished.
The man holding her was yanked backward with brutal force.There was a sharp crack—bone on bone—and a sound like air leaving a body too fast.He hit the ground and didn’t get up.
Mara staggered, nearly falling.
Someone else stepped into her space.
She screamed again, swinging wildly—until strong hands caught her wrists.Not rough.Not gentle either.Just immovable.
“Stop,” a man said.
His voice was low.Controlled.It cut through the panic like a blade.
She froze.
He stood close, broad shoulders blocking her view of the rest of the garage.Tall—well over six feet—with a build that spoke of strength earned the hard way rather than sculpted for show.His dark jacket stretched across a solid chest, the fabric pulling faintly at the seams when he moved.Short dark hair, cut close at the sides, framed a face marked by a faint scar along his jaw, pale against stubble.His eyes were dark—almost black in the low light—sharp and steady, missing nothing.No visible weapon, yet everything about him said he didn’t need one.His grip stayed steady, careful not to hurt her.
“You’re safe,” he said.
She laughed hysterically.“That’s a lie.”
“No,” he replied.“As of right now, it’s a fact.”
She searched his face for anything she could use to categorize him—threat, rescuer, liar.His expression gave her nothing.Eyes dark.Assessing.Focused entirely on her.
Behind him, she saw movement.Two men dragged the unconscious body away, efficient and silent, disappearing between the parked cars.
Her knees went weak.
The man in front of her noticed immediately.He shifted, one hand sliding to her elbow, grounding her.
“Breathe,” he said.“In.Out.”
She did.Shallow at first.Then deeper.
“What’s your name?”he asked.
She shook her head immediately.“I’m not giving you anything.Not my name.Not whatever you’re about to ask for next.”
His mouth twitched, not quite a smile.“Smart.Stubborn.You’ve got a USB on you.”
