Page 78 of Veil of Secrets

Not from the blood.

Not from the body.

Not from the truth of what just happened.

That’s what sets her apart.

She watches the blood run like she’s seen worse.

That’s what makes her dangerous.

That’s why I trust her.

“Elara,” I say.

She grins. Small. Tight. But it reaches her eyes.

“Nico.”

We stand like that for a second—longer than we should.

The office is quiet again. The blood finishes pooling near the threshold.

I look down at the body once more.

This isn’t cleanup.

This is groundwork.

This is the shift Vince never saw coming.

She’s standing beside me.

I step back, blade still in hand. Elara moves with me, her grip on her knife steady. The hallway feels tighter now, like the walls know what’s coming.

“You think he was alone?” she asks, voice low.

I shake my head. “Vince doesn’t send one guy. There’s more.”

She nods, like it’s just another fact. “Then we find them.”

Her confidence isn’t loud. It’s sharp. Like the edge of her blade.

“You’re sure about this?” I ask. Not doubt. Just checking.

Her eyes lock on mine. “You’re not doing this without me.”

I nod. “Wouldn’t want to.”

Her grin returns, sharper this time. “Good answer.”

Footsteps echo from the stairwell. Luca’s voice cuts through, urgent but steady. “We need to move.”

I glance at Elara. “You still driving?”

“Damn right.” She turns, heading for the stairs, knife still out.

I follow, blade in hand. The blood on the floor stays behind, but the weight of it doesn’t.

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