Lina's POV
"One more word," Adrian snarled, his voice lethal, "and I'll have them throw your w***e into the North River."
Marcus froze mid-breath, his jaw clenched tight. He didn't dare push further.
The tension in the room was suffocating, sharp as a blade pressed against skin.
Even Chloe looked stunned. Her eyes were wide with a mixture of shock and pride.
*Holy s**t. Dad's terrifying when he's like this.*
But I was the only one who noticed the tremor in Adrian's hand, the way his jaw was set too tight, the cold sweat beading on his forehead despite his controlled fury.
His abdomen—he'd been stabbed. And judging by the rigid way he was holding himself, that violent lunge to stop Marcus had torn something open.
I reached out carefully, tugging at his sleeve.
H
