The rain soaked through my thin coat as I pushed open the heavy glass doors of the Obsidian Lounge.

The air inside smelled of expensive bourbon, damp wool, and sweet cigar smoke.

My heart hammered violently against my ribs.

Derek’s heavy, uneven footsteps echoed on the wet pavement just outside.

I had seconds before he found me.

I scanned the dimly lit room, my eyes landing on a private booth at the far back.

The booth was shrouded in heavy velvet curtains, cast in deep shadows.

Without thinking, I slipped inside the velvet partition and dropped to my knees.

I crawled beneath the heavy mahogany table, pulling my knees tight to my chest.

My breath was shallow, hot, and fast.

From below the hanging edge of the white table linen, I saw a pair of polished black oxford shoes.

The trousers above them were tailored gray wool, perfectly pressed.

The man sitting at the table did not move away. He did not call out.

He simply picked up a crystal glass and swirled the amber liquid inside.

“You are shaking my table,” a deep, calm voice said from above.

“Please,” I whispered, my voice cracking with terror. “Don’t let him take me.”

A heavy silence filled the narrow space under the booth.

Then, the brass bell above the lounge entrance chimed.

“Where is she?” Derek’s voice boomed through the quiet bar, dripping with anger.

I pressed my cold hand over my mouth to stifle a sob.

Through the gap in the tablecloth, I saw Derek’s scuffed leather boots approaching the booth.

“Excuse me,” Derek said, his tone shifting to a forced, trembling politeness. “I’m looking for a woman. She just ran in here.”

The polished shoes opposite me shifted slightly.

“This is a private lounge,” the deep voice above me said. “And you are interrupting my drink.”

“I have legal rights here,” Derek snapped, his confidence returning.

I heard the sharp rustle of thick paper.

“These documents prove she stole fifty thousand dollars from my business,” Derek said. “She’s a fugitive. I have the financial records right here.”

A large hand reached down from the table, taking the papers from Derek.