My phone, sitting in the cup holder, buzzed once, the screen illuminating the dark interior.

It was an unknown number, and a single line of text appeared on the lock screen.

I looked at the glowing screen.

The text was short.

*He thinks he bought your freedom, but the debt isn’t settled.*

My thumb trembled as I held the cold glass of the phone.

Miller climbed into the driver’s seat, slamming the door against the howling wind.

He smelled of damp wool and melted snow.

“What is it?” Miller asked, his eyes darting to my face.

I showed him the screen.

He took the phone from my hand, his brow furrowing as he read the message.

“Vance,” Miller muttered.

He put the car in gear, and the tires spun on the slick ice before catching.

“We have to get you out of the city tonight,” Miller said, looking in the rearview mirror.

“Where is Adrian going?” I asked.

My voice sounded small and hollow in the warm cabin of the sedan.

“To a federal holding facility downtown,” Miller said.