Lydia's heart thumped like a war drum as she stepped out of the alley. Passing a fruit truck, her gaze flicked inside. Immediately, she saw Owen lean lazily on the window frame, Dany beside him, and both gave her a quick glance when they saw her.
A faint breath of relief escaped her chest. A little farther on, she caught sight of Lloyd, disguised as a middle-aged man with a thick beard and glasses, quietly sipping coffee while pretending to read a newspaper. When their eyes met, he gave her the quickest of glances before returning to his paper, as if nothing were amiss.
Her heartbeat began to steady. She wasn't alone, Owen, Dany, Lloyd, Garrof, Jay, and no doubt other Noxcra agents were scattered in the crowd, watching her, keeping her safe. Soon after, the tension in her chest began to subside.
