Night fell over the safe house, a peaceful blanket of silence that seemed much too fleeting. Even though the friendly teasing had helped to lighten the atmosphere, there was an unspoken tension between them—trouble never stayed long behind.
Raven rested on the worn couch, looking up at the ceiling, as she listened to the gentle hum of the others getting settled in. Valerie sat in the armchair by the fire, crossed arms, eyes closed but yet vigilant. Lucas was stretched out on the ground, having lost the fight for a better location, and Dante—always a mystery—was sitting by the window, his outline clear against the faintly lit darkness beyond.
She knew that he wasn't sleeping. He never did. Not really, anyway.
Groaning softly, Raven pushed up, massaging the weariness from her eyes. "You're going to burn a hole in the window if you just keep staring like that."
Dante didn't glance away. "I'll take my chances."
Lucas let out a sleepy mumble from the floor. "Can you two flirt quieter? Some of us are trying to sleep."
A pillow whizzed at his head once again, this time from Valerie.
"Shut up, Lucas."
Raven smiled but focused again on Dante. "What are you even looking for? The Calloways aren't going to send a singing telegram declaring their next step."
Dante finally turned his head, fixing her with a look that made her stomach flip for reasons she refused to analyze. "It's not them I'm worried about."
She frowned, pushing off the couch. "Okay, ominous. Care to elaborate?"
He didn't answer right away, his eyes darting to the others—Valerie asleep, Lucas unconscious, even the occasional pop of the fireplace making the air seem secure. They both knew better, though.
"Things are developing quicker than we anticipated," Dante said at last, his voice low. "Lucas is ambitious, but he's stupid. The Calloways will view that as a chance."
Raven crossed her arms. "You think they'll use him?"
"I think they'll kill him if he gets in their way."
That was the thing about Dante. He never minced words. He viewed the world for what it was—ugly, brutal, and unforgiving. And he never wasted time pretending otherwise.
Raven let out a deep breath, running a hand through her hair. "Perfect. So we have to keep him alive and prevent a family of insane crime lords from burning the place down. Delightful."
Dante grinned, the ghost of a smile playing at his lips. "Getting a little overwhelmed?"
"Oh, completely," she replied dryly. "I live for it."
His smirk disappeared, replaced by a serious look. "We'll have to act quickly. The Calloways don't hesitate."
"Then let's take the initiative," she said bluntly.
Dante arched an eyebrow. "You have an idea?"
She smiled. "Nope. But I'm figuring it out."
He shook his head, blowing out through his nose. "Of course you are."
Before she had a chance to respond, a banging on the door disrupted the moment.
At once, the atmosphere altered.
Valerie's eyes flew open. Lucas, for all his melodrama, was instantly on his feet, knife held high.
Dante got there first, putting a finger to his lips before gesturing for everyone to remain where they were. He reached for his gun, inching towards the door with calculated quiet.
Another knock. This one more urgent.
Raven's heart was racing. No one was supposed to have any idea they were there.
Dante looked at her, his face unreadable. And then, with the ease of a man who had done this a hundred times, he grasped the knob and opened the door—just enough to catch a glimpse of who stood there.
Then, he froze.
Raven leaned forward, trying to see past him. "Who—"
And then she saw.
Standing in the doorway, drenched from the rain, eyes wide with barely concealed panic, was **Julian Calloway.**
A Calloway. At their doorstep. Alone.
Raven sucked in a sharp breath.
Oh, this was bad.