I went into the kitchen with the intention of making dinner, but as soon as I saw the barren wasteland that was the inside of my refrigerator, I knew it was a lost cause. There wasn’t much I could make with a half-gallon of milk, a container of take-out rice, and some cherry-flavored jello.

“Take out in front of the TV or a lonely table for one?” I asked myself. “Decisions, decisions.” Maybe I could ask Cruz to join me…

I grabbed my phone, about to send him a text, when I stopped myself. Was it really wise of me to hang out with a man being chased by a hitman? Sure, it was exciting, but at the same time, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to put my life on the line so recklessly. There was still so much I wanted to do – needed to do.

The picture of my family above the mantel piece caught my eye. I walked up to it, running my finger over their faces. I missed them terribly. Ten years had gone by, and yet justice had never been served. My obsession with crime novels had started shortly after their massacre. I thought that maybe if I could understand the minds of criminals, I’d be able to understand how someone could break into my childhood home and kill my family in cold blood. It didn’t make sense, and each day that passed by only made things worse.

Out there, somewhere, was a monster running free.

The thought made me shiver.

I grabbed my cardigan and wrapped it around me. I needed some fresh air.

Outside, the temperature had dropped. The sun was already setting, painting everything in vibrant pinks and purples. Children savored the last rays of sunlight before their mothers called them in for dinner.

Downtown, I found a lively street filled with various restaurants and shops. A paper store caught my attention. I could never say no to a new notebook or a pack of nice pens…

Before I could step inside, someone approached me. Their shadow loomed over me like a giant.

I looked up and stepped back immediately. “Rob?” The name caught in my throat, sounding choked.

The older man grinned. “Today must be my lucky day.” He took off his glasses, nibbling on the end of the frames as he looked me over. His cold eyes were just as scrutinizing as I remembered them being. A sea of memories flooded my mind.

“What are you doing here?”

“I was grabbing some dinner. Perhaps you’d like to join me.”

“No. I mean, what are you doing in London? The last time I checked, you were on the high road to Wall Street.”

“Trajectories change. But I’ve managed to do pretty well for myself.” He leaned against a nearby lamp post, a smug look on his face. When we’d dated, about five years ago, he had dyed his hair; now, it was speckled with hints of steely gray. He had matured, or maybe it was the designer suit he wore. “Are you not going to ask?”

“No. I’m not interested,” I said, trying to push past him.

He grabbed me by the wrist and reeled me back. “Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was a threatening hiss that snaked into my ear.

I jerked away from him. “Don’t you ever touch me again.”

He straightened himself out, a smirk dancing on his lips. “Just as feisty as I remember.” He stepped closer, his gaze piercing right through my soul. “I used to love that about you. Made you absolutely fiery in bed.”

As he reached forward to grab my chin, I stepped back once more. “I said, don’t touch me. Do it again, and I swear I’ll scream.”

“Will you? Do you realize you’re speaking to the most powerful man in London?” He chuckled, a deep gravely sound laced with bad intentions. This man was the same crook he had been five years ago.

“What do you mean?”

“Oh? You don’t know?” He adjusted his glasses, standing in such a way that the light reflected off of the lenses, making it impossible for me to see his eyes, to read what he was planning.

“Rob…” I growled. “No games.”

“No. Of course not.” He adjusted his sleeves, bringing to attention the diamond cuff links he was wearing.

Was he trying to bribe me?

“You’re looking at the leader of VanGuard.”

VanGuard. Wasn’t that the company Cruz worked with? Did they know each other? There was still much more to this story…

“And?” I placed my hand on my hip, trying to look uninterested.

He chuckled. “Naïve child.”

My eyes narrowed as my agitation heightened. Rob had always treated me as some little girl he could talk down to. It was one of the reasons I had broken it off with him.

“How about some dinner? I’d be happy to explain everything over a nice plate of lobster.”

“I told you five years ago that I never wanted anything to do with you, and I meant it. Now, I don’t care if you’re the Queen of England; I’m not having dinner with you.” I turned on my heels, swaying my hips, trying to taunt him with what he could no longer have.

I was so focused on getting away from the creep that I didn’t notice how deserted the street had become. The neighborhood had transformed from posh boutiques to run down barber shops with boarded up windows. Unwilling to double back and face Rob once more, I continued forward, clutching my bag tightly against my body. Every alleyway I passed made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on edge.

A black cat slinked out of the shadows, making me jump. My heart thumped. “You scared me…” I whispered. The cat looked at me, its yellow eyes glowing. It was still for a moment before it hissed, its claws extending in a defensive position. “Nice kitty…” I backed away slowly, praying that it didn’t attack me. I held my purse to my chest, ready to use it as a shield.

Suddenly, I bumped into someone.