“The kind that doesn’t wait.”

Her words hadn’t even settled before a knock sounded. Sharp and Measured. Was it an Official? Everything in the clinic went still.

Not quiet. But Still. Like the building itself was holding its breath. My assistant didn’t look surprised. That was worse.

“…front door,” she murmured, already moving. “Stay here.”

“Police?” I asked under my breath. A brief glance back.

“…just follow my lead.” And then she was gone.

For a second— Just a second.

I didn’t move. Didn’t think. And Just listened. Their Voices filtered in faintly from the front.

Low, Controlled. Questioning. The kind that didn’t belong here. My jaw tightened. Police. Of course. Of course it would be something like that. Just when I'm almost making progress. Because apparently waking up in a mafia novel meant I didn’t get a slow start. 

I dragged a hand down my face once.

Focus. Right. Priorities.

Behind me—

He hadn’t moved.

I turned to look behind me, Adrian was exactly where I left him. Sitting Calmly while also Watching me. Like this didn’t concern him. Like it wasn’t his people being hunted. Wasn't it him who lead them here? Or did this happen often?

Like—

“…don’t say anything,” I said quietly, stepping back toward him.

My tone had changed. Less sharp. But More—

Certain.

“If anyone comes back here, you’re not here.”

A beat passed but His eyes didn’t leave mine.

“…and if they look anyway?” he asked.

I stepped closer. Close enough to lower my voice without thinking.

“They won’t.” I'll make sure they don't. I'm being blindly confidence Nor arrogant. Just—

Fact. Deep down I know I'll do anything to protect him. Something flickered across his expression again. That same thing from before. Interest.

“…you’re very certain for someone who doesn’t know who I am,” he said. My jaw tightened slightly. That's the thing, I do know who you are.

“I know enough,” I replied.A lie. A half-truth. Something in between. Because I didn’t know everything.

But I knew one thing that mattered. You died. The memory flashed sharp and sudden.

“…he did not resist…”

Not this time. Not while I was here. I'll make sure of it.

“…stay put,” I added, quieter now, almost under my breath. “Please.”

The word slipped out before I could stop it. Not a command. Not an order. But a plead, Something else entirely.

His gaze shifted. Just slightly.

“…alright,” he said.

Simple and easy. But the way he said it—

Like the decision mattered. Like I mattered in that moment. Weird. As far as I knew he was straight but not everything is always as it seems. I didn’t have time to think about it.

Voices were getting closer. Footsteps can be heard Coming this way.

I straightened up immediately, stepping back, grabbing a chart from the nearest surface and flipping it open like I’d been reviewing it the entire time. Quickly closing the curtain behind me, where he is at.

Normal. Be normal.

That was the goal. The door opened.Two officers stepped in. They wore Clean uniforms. Had Sharp eyes. The kind that scanned everything and missed nothing.

“Evening,” one of them said. My assistant was right behind them. Smiling. Too easily. Damn, this girl can act.

“Sorry about the mess,” she said lightly. “We’ve had a busy night.”

The officer’s gaze swept the room and Landed on me. Then past me. I didn’t turn. Didn’t react. Just kept my eyes on the chart like it actually meant something.

“Clinic?” the other officer asked.

“For elderly care,” she replied smoothly. “Most of our patients are walk-ins or referrals. Nothing exciting, I promise.”

A pause.

“…we received a report,” the first one said. “Multiple injured individuals entering this building.”

“Elderly people fall,” she said with a soft laugh. “More often than you’d think.”

Silence. Thick. Suspicious. Would they actually believe that? I could feel it building. They didn’t buy it. Of course they didn’t. Even I didn't.

My grip tightened slightly on the paper in my hand.

Think.

Think.

“…if you’re here to help,” I said suddenly, not looking up, keeping my tone flat, almost tired, “you’re welcome to start with room three.”

A beat. Both of them looked at me now. Good. Let them.

“Fractured hip,” I added, flipping a page like I was checking notes. “She’s been asking for pain relief for the last twenty minutes.”

Not entirely a lie. Just enough truth to anchor it. The assistant didn’t miss a beat. 

“Oh—yes,” she said quickly. “Mrs. Alvarez. Poor thing’s been in agony.”

The officers exchanged a look. A decision.

“…we’ll take a look around,” one of them said.

“Of course,” she replied smoothly, stepping aside. “Let me show you.”

They moved past us. Deeper into the clinic. Away. Away from Adrian.

I knew they weren't convinced. But at least they're not focused here anymore. Not yet at least.

I didn’t move until their footsteps faded.

Didn’t breathe.

Didn’t—

“…you lied well.” His voice came from behind me, near the curtain. Quiet. Close. I exhaled slowly, lowering the chart.

“…I’m a fast learner,” I muttered. My pulse was still a little too fast. My grip still a little too tight on the chart.

But underneath all of that—

Something else settled in. Clear. Steady. Certain. This is it. This is real. And if it was real—

Then so was the ending. Unless I changed it. My gaze shifted slightly, just enough to catch him in my peripheral.

Still there. Still alive. Still—

Within reach. Why can't I move on from the ending? It was a novel, I shouldn't keep remembering it every second of the day.

“…you’re not getting caught tonight,” I said quietly. "At least not on my watch." More to myself than to him. But he heard it anyway. I knew he did. And for the first time—

I didn’t question it. I’d already decided. I was going to save him.

No matter what it took. This only solidified my decision even more.