Jenny's face went pale. "That's them. They found me."
Melisa stood up quickly. "We need to go. Now."
Grabbing their bags, they slipped out the back door, hearts pounding. The alley behind the café was slick with rain, the dim lights casting eerie shadows. As they hurried down the narrow path, Melisa's phone buzzed.
It was a message from an unknown number.
"You should've stayed quiet, Everhart. Now both of you will pay."
She showed it to Jenny, whose hands were shaking uncontrollably.
Suddenly, a figure stepped out from the shadows ahead. Melisa pushed Jenny behind her.
"Stay back," she warned.
But the figure raised his hands, showing he was unarmed. He stepped into the light, revealing a familiar face.
It was Cole, the man Melisa had met recently at a charity event—friendly, charming, someone she'd thought might be a potential friend.
"You're in danger," he said, voice low. "Come with me if you want to live."
Jenny stared at him in disbelief. "Who is this?"
