The cold air hit Millie’s face like a slap as she stepped out into the night, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t know where she was going, but she couldn’t stay there, not with him looming behind her. Not with him watching her every move like a hawk, waiting for the next misstep, the next mistake she would make to justify the rage in his eyes.

For the first time in years, she was free.

The thought should have brought her relief, but it didn’t. There was only the fear that if she wasn’t careful, her stepfather would find her. He always found her. His connections ran deep, like the roots of a poisonous vine that stretched across the city, wrapping around anyone unlucky enough to cross his path.

She didn’t have a plan. No phone, no money, nothing but the clothes on her back. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d felt safe. But she had to try.

She kept her head low, blending in with the crowd of late-night revelers and drunk college kids stumbling home from parties. The city was alive in a way she hadn’t allowed herself to notice before—flashing neon lights, honking cars, the laughter of strangers she would never meet. The possibility of danger surrounded her.

Millie pulled her jacket tighter around her shoulders as she walked down the grimy street. Her steps were quick, but purposeful—no aim, no destination. Just one foot in front of the other.

The city swallowed her whole. She should have gone to a shelter. She knew that. But she couldn’t bear the thought of trusting anyone, even for a night.

A distant part of her wanted to scream, to cry for the life she’d never had, but she couldn’t. Not with the weight of her past pressing down on her every second.

The sound of footsteps behind her made her freeze.

Her heart skipped a beat. She didn’t need to look over her shoulder to know they were following her. She had felt their eyes on her all night—two men, walking too close, too silently. It was only a matter of time before they made their move.

Miliie's pace increased slowly. She was being hunted.

Her legs felt like lead as she tried to walk faster, the sound of their footsteps growing louder, closer. Her mind raced, but there was nowhere to run or hide in the poorly lit alley. Her heart slammed against her chest as panic began to set in. She couldn’t let them catch her. She couldn’t go back to him.

Just as she was about to break into a full sprint, a figure stepped out from the alleyway ahead of her, blocking her path. Her blood ran cold as she recognized him.

He was the popular mafia boss who brought every gang member to their knees- Alex Morales.

Her body tensed. She hadn’t seen him in person before, but she knew who he was. Everyone did. Alex was the enforcer for the Morano family, a man whose name was whispered with equal parts of fear and reverence. A deadly, silent killer whose loyalty to his family was unwavering.

His eyes locked onto hers. He didn’t smile, didn’t move—he just stood there, a hulking figure in a leather jacket, his presence radiating authority.

“Keep walking,” he ordered, his voice low and commanding.

Her pulse throbbed in her ears. She wasn’t sure if it was because of him or the men behind her, but she didn’t move. She couldn’t.

“I—I don’t have time for this,” she stammered, taking a shaky step back. “Please, just let me go.”

Alex’s gaze flickered to the two men who had been tailing her. They stopped in their tracks, sensing the shift in the air.

“I don’t think they’re going to let you go that easily,” Alex said, his tone cold.

He didn’t seem worried in the slightest. It was as if the situation were beneath him—like they weren’t even a threat.

Millie swallowed hard. The men behind her stepped forward, their faces twisted into cruel smirks.

“You heard the man, sugar,” one of them sneered. “It’s not going to be that easy.”

Alex didn’t move. He just stood there, watching the men with the calmness of someone who had dealt with this kind of thing a thousand times before.

“Leave,” Alex said softly, but there was a quiet menace to his voice. “Now.”

The two men hesitated for a moment, then exchanged a glance. Millie could see the calculation in their eyes, the hesitation as they weighed their options. It was obvious they were considering whether they should take their chances with him, but Alex didn’t give them the opportunity.

In a flash, his hand was on the first man’s throat, lifting him off the ground with a strength that made Lexi’s stomach twist. The second man reached for a gun tucked into his waistband, but Alex’s fist connected with his jaw before he could pull it free.

The man crumpled to the ground, gasping for air.

Alex didn’t even break a sweat.

He let the first man drop to the ground with a sickening thud, then turned to the other, who was still struggling to recover.

“You have one chance,” Alex said, his voice like ice. “Get up and walk away. Or I’ll make sure you never walk again.”

The second man scrambled to his feet, fear evident in his wide eyes. Without another word, he turned and bolted into the night, his partner following closely behind.

Alex stood there, motionless, watching them disappear into the darkness.

Millie was frozen in place. She didn’t know what to think, what to say. He had just… saved her. From the men who had been hunting her. And now they were gone.

Her legs finally gave out beneath her, and she sank to her knees on the cold, damp sidewalk, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps.

“Why did you help me?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

He ignored her completely as he picked up the jacket he had tossed aside before the fight.

“Because you’re not supposed to be their target,” he finally said, his voice still holding a detached edge.

Before Millie could respond, a voice rang out from the shadows.

"Alex."

The hairs on the back of Millie's neck stood up. She looked toward the sound, her heart racing at the thought of Dan finding her too soon.

Another figure emerged from the darkness—a tall, man with a sharp suit and a cold, calculating look in his eyes. Millie didn’t know who he was, but she could sense the danger in him.

“Get her inside. Now,” Alex ordered the man, his gaze flickering to Millie.

The man didn’t hesitate. He grabbed her arm, pulling her to her feet with roughly.

"You're coming with me," he said, his grip firm on her wrist.

Millie's head spun as they both led her down the alleyway. What had she just walked into?