Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-One
Malachi's POV
I couldn't stop thinking about Alicia. Even when I was supposed to be focused on Zhao Wei. Even when I was planning operations. Even when I should have been sleeping.
She was everywhere. In every quiet moment. In every decision I made. In the hollow space in my chest that nothing seemed to fill.
But I had to handle this first. Had to deal with Zhao. Had to investigate Hong Wei's death. Had to meet this mysterious person who claimed to have answers about why Alicia ran.
Then maybe. Maybe I could figure out how to get her back.
The meeting was set for midnight at the old factory district on the west side. Abandoned. Isolated. The kind of place where things happened that couldn't happen in daylight.
I arrived early. Checked the perimeter. Made sure I wasn't walking into an ambush. Rose wanted to come with me but I'd refused. The message had been clear. Come alone.
So I was alone.
