Chapter 30 Ultimatums And Shadows

• Nadia leaned close, her lips nearly brushing Steve Lee’s ear, and whispered something only he could hear. Whatever she said drained the color from his face instantly. His entire body stiffened, and the false bravado he had clung to vanished in seconds.
• She released him abruptly, and Steve stumbled backward, clutching his notepad awkwardly before hurrying away from the table. He nearly tripped over a barstool on his way out but managed to catch himself before bolting out the door.
• Damien Thorne watched him leave with narrowed eyes, curiosity stirring beneath the weight of his frustration. He turned to Nadia. “What,” he asked quietly, “did you say to him?”