Chapter 33. You Are Lucky

Rae:

The jet lands with a whisper, too gentle for what we’ve just left behind.

The world outside is still dark, dawn stretching like a bruise across the sky. The villa stands ahead, cold and pristine, untouched by blood or war. But as we step out, something about it feels different.

Maybe it’s me.

Maybe I’m the one that changed.

S leans on me heavier than he did before. His arm's around my shoulder, but I’m doing most of the carrying. Every step he takes sends a wince across his face no matter how hard he tries to hide it.

He doesn’t let go, though.

And I don’t want him to.

Kieran’s a few feet ahead, acting like he owns the damn place. Still going on about his “legendary warehouse performance,” complete with hand motions and unnecessary dramatics.

“So I elbowed the guy in the throat—clean, direct hit—then spun around with a kick. You should’ve seen his face.”

Eliza, beside him, deadpan: “Did he have a face? Or was it just y