Page 57 of Shadow

His phone buzzed.

Asher glanced at the screen. Unknown number. But he knew exactly who it was.

Unknown Number

I want those witnesses dead. Location. Or I’ll find you myself.

Draven.

Red light ahead. Asher stopped and looked at the text again.

Then he deleted it without responding.

The light turned green. Asher drove toward town and pushed Draven Frost to the back of his mind, where all the other lies lived.

Just twenty-seven more days. He could delete texts for twenty-seven more days.

Probably.

Six

This felt too familiar.

In a dangerous, what-had-she-gotten-herself-into sort of way.

And sure, she’d secured safe houses in war zones and fortified apartments under siege, but standing in the kitchen of a retirement community rental at six p.m. on a Friday night, waiting for Asher to return with pizza, felt exactly like waiting for her father to come home from his shift.

Exciting. Anticipatory. Safe.

Oh, wow. Where had that come from?

Daphne turned away from the window and focused on the security hub she’d just installed on the kitchen counter. The small monitor showed feeds from four cameras. Motion sensors active on every window. Perimeter alerts armed. The house was locked down tighter than most federal facilities.

That was better. Security, she could control.

Feelings, she couldn’t.

From the living room, Destiny’s voice rang out. “What is the Magna Carta!”

Correct answer. The Jeopardy! theme music played.

Daphne moved to check the living room. Destiny sat on the sectional, elegant even in casual mode, eyes fixed on the television. Cashmere sweater still perfect despite the long day. Answering questions on the screen.

“You’re good at this,” Daphne said.

Destiny glanced at her. “I was on the show once. Years ago. Won forty-two thousand dollars.” Slight smile. “Ralph was furious. Said I was showing off.”

The smile faded.

Ralph. Dead now. The man who’d built a criminal empire and dragged his family into witness protection.

“Dinner should be here soon,” Daphne said.

“I don’t eat pizza.”

“I know. Asher’s picking up other options.”

“He seems capable. For someone so young.”