“An old storage space near the docks,” I said, my heart hammering against my ribs.

“My father left it to me when he passed.”

“Is it safe?”

“Marcus doesn’t know about it yet,” I said, wiping rain from my eyes.

We turned the corner onto the main street, our faces lowered against the biting wind.

Suddenly, a black sedan pulled up to the curb just ten feet ahead of us, its tires splashing water onto the sidewalk.

The passenger door swung open, throwing a beam of yellow light across the wet pavement.

A figure stepped out into the rain, holding a sleek black umbrella over her styled hair.

The streetlamp caught the sharp, familiar line of Victoria’s jaw as she looked directly at us.

Victoria did not smile.

She adjusted her grip on the silver handle of her umbrella, keeping her eyes fixed on Alexander.

“You look miserable, Alexander,” she said, her voice clear and cold above the sound of the rain.

Alexander stepped slightly in front of me, his shoulders tensing under his wet coat.

“What are you doing here, Victoria?” he asked.