Chapter 22. Thugs

Lucien clutched the stuffed dolls tighter in his arms, his little fingers digging into the fabric as if the toys could somehow protect him. Emily stepped slightly in front of him, her stance firm and sharp. Her eyes locked onto the three men.

“Who the fuck is your boss? And why the hell would we go with you?” Emily asked, her voice steady, filled with irritation and a protective edge. She glanced sideways at Lucien, shielding him subtly with her body.

The man who had called Emily by name scowled, the veins in his neck beginning to bulge. “Either you hand him over, or—”

He paused, reaching into the inside of his worn black jacket. With a swift, practiced motion, he pulled out a long dagger with a sharp, curved blade. The handle was wrapped in faded red leather, the metal slightly scratched and stained.

Emily’s eyes narrowed. This wasn’t going to end peacefully. She took a half-step backward, her body instinctively pulling Lucien closer.

Lucien’s voice wa