No follow-up. No explanation. We drove another few minutes in silence, the empty streets stretching out in front of us. I could feel my awareness sharpen—the way it does when something feels off but you can’t explain why. Then I noticed his breathing.
Uneven. Controlled, like he was trying to keep it steady and failing. I glanced in the mirror again. That’s when I saw it. His eyes were red.
We stopped at a red light, and that’s when it happened. Marcus suddenly leaned forward slightly, one hand moving toward his jacket. Every instinct I had kicked in at once. My grip tightened on the steering wheel. My mind raced through possibilities—none of them good. It was 3 AM. Empty street. No one around.
He reached inside his jacket.
I froze.
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