Chapter 4

　　~ANYA'S POV~

　　We flagged down a cab and slid inside, Athena tossing the driver the fare with a reluctant sigh. The clock on the dash read twenty to six. Perfect.

　　By the time we pulled up to the chapel, the courtyard was empty, exactly how I wanted it. Athena hung back by the door while I walked to the first pew. She didn't follow.

　　That was one thing about her—she always knew when to give me space.

　　I knelt down, the old wood creaking under my knees, and made the sign of the cross. The stained-glass windows cast fractured colors across the aisle, warm blues and reds dancing on my skin.

　　And yet my chest felt heavy.

　　This was always the hard part. The starting line. 'Do I say "Dear God"? Do I say "Hey God"?'

　　I lowered my head.

　　"Hey God. It's me again." My voice sounded too loud, even though it was barely a whisper. "You already know my name, so no need for introductions, right?"

　　The silence pressed in, but instead of suffocating, it wrapped around me like a blanket. For the first time in forever, I felt bold enough to keep going.

　　"The last time I was here… it was because I got a raise at work. And last night…" My throat tightened. "Last night, I almost died. Was that you trying to remind me I've drifted too far?"

　　I clasped my hands, squeezing them tight.

　　"I'm sorry. Please forgive me. And… thank you. Thank you for saving me. You've been saving me all my life—even when I drank engine oil at five, when I almost drowned at eight, when I broke Mama's china set and thought I wouldn't live to see the next day." I laughed softly, shaking my head.

　　"That one… really was a near-death experience."

　　A breath slipped out of me.

　　"Anyway. I should go. Athena's probably twitching outside with all this holy energy. I swear I'll drag her in here one day for confession. Please give that poor priest strength not to retire immediately."

　　A smile tugged at my lips.

　　"And one more thing….bless the cab driver who saved me last night. Give him a better car… and maybe a better attitude while you're at it. Amen."

　　I stood, smoothing down my dress, and almost jumped out of my skin.

　　A man in a perfectly tailored suit stood a few pews away, watching me. He was too far to make out clearly, but his profile stirred something in me—something unsettling. Familiar.

　　I turned on my heel and walked briskly out.

　　Athena was waiting on the steps, her arms folded, clearly bored out of her mind. "Ice cream," she declared as soon as she saw me. "Your trauma, my treat."

　　We wandered down the street, cones in hand. Athena demolished hers like it was a race, Oreo crumbs dotting her black outfit.

　　"Tell me it's not just me," she mumbled through a mouthful, "or is today 'expensive car day'?"

　　She jerked her chin behind me.

　　I turned.

　　The sleek, glinting Rolls Royce from earlier was creeping along the street, shadowing us at a careful distance.

　　"That's the one parked in front of the apartment, right?" My stomach tightened.

　　"Yeah. The fish tail." She shrugged, unbothered, still licking ice cream.

　　"It's Boat Tail," I corrected automatically. Before I could say more, Athena squealed so loudly I nearly dropped my cone. "TACOS!"

　　I groaned. "Do you have to announce it to the whole street?" But before I could drag her away, my phone buzzed.

　　Unknown number: 'You look very beautiful, Bambi.'

　　I froze. My eyes darted across the street, scanning every face, every shadow. Nobody was looking at me.

　　'A mistake. Has to be a mistake.'

　　"Yaya, come on," Athena tugged at my wrist, leading me toward the taco stand.

　　We grabbed food and started the short walk home. Athena filled the air with chatter about her latest conquest.

　　"He was built like the Hulk," she said dreamily, stuffing her face with tortilla. "So many tattoos, like—an art gallery, but sexier. I drooled on him twice. He had to flip me into doggy just to save his sheets."

　　An elderly couple turned to glare. Athena didn't notice….or didn't care. "And oh, the way he choked me—Yaya, it was divine. Haven't felt like that since my P.E. teacher….."

　　"Athena, shut up." My cheeks burned. "People are staring."

　　She rolled her eyes. "They're not staring at me. They're staring at that car that's been following us since church. Which, now that I'm saying it out loud…" She trailed off, her tone sobering.

　　"Creepy, right?"

　　I risked a glance over my shoulder. The Rolls Royce was still there. Still crawling.

　　"They probably think you're a spy from France," I joked weakly.

　　She elbowed me. "Or maybe they're into one of us." Wiggle of eyebrows.

　　"Yeah, sure. They can have you." I tugged her hand as we crossed the street.

　　"Or…" Her grin widened. "We could just go ask them."

　　"What if they're just test driving it?" I shrugged.

　　She gave me a look. "Even I know that's not how test drives work, genius." Before I could snap back, my feet throbbed in protest. "Ugh, curse these block heels. Can we just book a cab?"

　　Athena smirked. "Holy boobs of Magdalene….." We both froze at the sound of a voice behind us.

　　"Excuse me, señora."

　　I turned, ready to wave off another beggar—and forgot how to breathe. The man was tall, broad, and devastatingly built. Black suit, dark shades, the kind of presence that made the air feel thinner.

　　"Miss?" His voice was deep, steady.

　　I was too busy imagining him bending me over the nearest doorway to answer.

　　"Yaya," Athena hissed in my ear. "Look cool. You're drooling."

　　"I-I'm not….." My voice cracked embarrassingly.

　　The man didn't react. He simply gestured toward the gleaming Rolls parked at the curb. "My boss would like to offer you a ride."

　　I stared. Did he seriously expect us to—"Um, thank you, but we're fine," I said quickly, tugging Athena's arm.

　　He stepped in front of us, blocking the way. "It wasn't a request." My pulse spiked. Heads were turning. People slowing down. Watching.

　　"I don't care who your boss is," I snapped, voice rising. "We're not interested."

　　Athena, of course, ruined it. "She's not. I might be."

　　"ATHENA."

　　The man didn't move. "Ma'am. Please. My boss insists."

　　"No," I shot back, heat rising in my chest. "We're not stupid. You think just because you pull up in a twenty-eight-million-dollar car we'll jump in? Newsflash: that's how kidnappings start."

　　I turned to the bystanders, throwing my hands up. "Y'all just gon' watch us get abducted? Seriously?"

　　Nobody moved. The tension stretched until it snapped—when Athena swung her purse at him.

　　The smack echoed. He winced, cursing under his breath.

　　"Yes, boss," he muttered, glaring at her before stepping back. Another suited man joined him, and together they retreated.

　　Athena and I didn't wait. We bolted for the nearest cab, dove inside, and slammed the door shut.

　　The ride was suffocatingly quiet. My palms were damp against my purse. Athena's leg bounced restlessly beside me, her lips parted like she wanted to speak but couldn't.

　　Finally, she whispered, "Yaya…"

　　Her eyes flicked to the window.

　　I followed her gaze—and my heart plummeted. The Rolls Royce slid up beside our cab, its polished surface gleaming under the streetlights.

　　The tinted window rolled down.

　　Blue eyes. Piercing. Cold. Familiar.

　　They pinned me in place like prey. A slow, deliberate smile curved his lips. My phone buzzed in my lap.

　　"Next time, don't make me ask twice, Amore."