Chapter 20 · The Woman in the Doorway

"Drop the knife, Lynn." Adrian's voice came from inches ahead of her, but he didn't turn. The hunter blade pressed against his throat. "You were standing over my father when he died."

"Lynn—"

"Don't." Her hand shook harder. "One word and I open your neck."

They stood on the top landing with one door between them and the roof. Three floors below, boots pounded up the stairs. Radios crackled. Victor's people were closing in.

Adrian lifted both hands. Blood had soaked through the shirt she'd wrapped around his back ten minutes ago. Now she was the one threatening him.

"You saw me there," he said. "I never denied it."

"You said you tried to save him."

"I did."

"My father was on his knees. He was bleeding through his jacket. He looked at you like he was terrified."

Adrian's shoulders locked. "He wasn't afraid of me."

"Then who was he afraid of?"

He turned his head just enough to meet her eyes. The blade scraped his skin.

"I don't know."

"Bullshit."

"The bond won't let me lie to you."

That should've helped. It didn't. Lynn could still see the memory burning behind her eyes—