Bound by shadows: A Love Against All Odds (Bloodthirsty series)

11: Beneath the Surface

I quicken my pace, weaving through the crowded streets with a newfound sense of urgency. The city that usually feels so familiar now feels alien, every passerby a potential threat. Who sent that message? Who's pulling the strings behind the scenes? My instincts tell me to go dark, to disappear until I can figure out what's going on, but I can't shake the feeling that time is running out.

I reach a quieter street and duck into a narrow alleyway, my back pressed against the cold brick wall. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. I've faced danger before—hell, it's part of the job—but this is different. This is personal, and it's terrifying how much I don't know.

I need answers, and I need them fast.

The first thing I need is a new phone. The thought of being without communication in this situation sends a jolt of fear through me. I can't afford to be disconnected, not now. I head toward the nearest electronics store, keeping my eyes peeled for anyone who might be watching me. Every shadow seems to move with intent, every reflection in the shop windows feels like a pair of eyes tracking my every move.

I reach the store and purchase a cheap burner phone, something untraceable, something that will give me a few precious moments of anonymity. The cashier barely glances at me as I pay in cash, my eyes darting around the store, half-expecting someone to burst in and blow my cover. But no one does. The world outside remains oblivious to the storm raging in my mind.

I step outside and power up the new phone, quickly typing in a few key numbers. First, I send a message to my contact in the department, letting them know about the situation, leaving out the emotional details. I can't afford to appear compromised, not to them. My message is brief, clinical: "Change in the situation. Lupé may be a target as well. Need immediate intel on possible third-party involvement."

The reply comes almost immediately: "Stand by. Investigating."

I shove the phone into my pocket and start walking again, my mind racing through possibilities. If Lupé is a target, who would want him out of the picture? The obvious answer is another crime syndicate, someone who sees him as a threat. But why involve me? Why send me a warning instead of just taking him out?

Unless... they want something from me. Or from us.

The thought chills me. Whoever is behind this knows more than they should, and they're playing a game that I don't understand. Yet. But I will. I have to.

I decide to head to a safe house, one of the many I've set up over the years. I figured it would be best since Lupé knows where my new apartment is, I'm not safe in there. It's not far, just a few blocks away, and it's secure enough to buy me some time to think. I duck into another alley, taking a more circuitous route, just in case I'm being followed. The streets are quieter here, the shadows longer, and the air feels heavy with the weight of impending danger.

As I approach the safe house, I pause, scanning the area for anything out of place. A car idling too long, a figure lingering in the shadows—anything that might indicate I'm not alone. But the street is empty, almost eerily so. I quickly unlock the door and slip inside, bolting it behind me.

The safe house is a small, nondescript apartment, furnished with just the basics—a bed, a table, a chair. There's a laptop on the table, and I immediately boot it up, connecting to a secure network. If the department is investigating, they'll send me updates here. But as I wait for the connection to establish, my mind keeps drifting back to Lupé.

What is he thinking right now? Is he aware of the danger he's in, or is he as clueless as I was until a few minutes ago? The last time I saw him, he was so cold, so distant, but there was something in his eyes—something that told me he's just as trapped in this as I am.