I recognized the sleek lines of the chassis immediately.

It was Andrew’s car.

He did not slow down as he entered the level.

He steered the silver car directly into the path of Victoria’s SUV, blocking the exit lane completely.

The brakes locked up, and the silver coupe skidded to a halt just inches from the SUV’s front bumper.

The smell of burnt rubber filled the cold air of the garage.

For a second, everything was completely still.

The twin sets of headlights shone directly at each other, creating a wall of white light between the two vehicles.

The exhaust of both cars hummed in the enclosed space.

The driver’s door of the silver coupe swung open.

Andrew stepped out into the bright light.

His tie was loosened, and his white shirt was wrinkled at the sleeves.

His face was pale, his jaw set in a hard, rigid line.

He did not look at Victoria’s SUV first.

His eyes scanned the concrete floor until they found me.

“Elila!” he called out.

His voice was louder than I had ever heard it, stripped of his usual corporate composure.