CHAPTER 311
KATYA POV
The ember flared brighter. For one endless second, nothing else happened. Then the figure pushed himself away from the wall.
The movement was slow.
Unhurried. As though the three bodies lying across the alley weren't enough reason for anyone to panic.
As though he had all the time in the world. A fresh wave of terror slammed into me. Beside me, Chiara stumbled backward so abruptly her shoulder crashed into mine. I nearly lost my footing again, my shoes scraping against the damp pavement.
Neither of us spoke. Neither of us could. The man took one step. Then another. Each measured footstep echoed softly through the narrow alley.
Tap. Tap. Tap. My pulse pounded so violently I could barely hear anything else. The alley was dimly lit, the old amber streetlight casting long shadows across the cracked concrete. For several agonizing seconds, the man's face remained hidden beneath darkness.
