ELION

The shift in the air happened instantly.

Years of instinct sharpened by prison, boardrooms, and enemies who smiled before they stabbed me in the back had taught me to notice things most people missed.

A stare that lingered too long, an expression that hid more than it revealed, a movement in the corner of my vision

Things that didn't quite fit, such was the glint of a camera lens catching in sunlight through the trees.

My eyes narrowed toward the far side of the park. Loretta followed my line of sight, her brows drawing together. The chatter died between them and I discovered with surprise that Michelle could actually...