“Maybe two months ago—when I told you about a drug I was planning to produce,” August lied. “Ten minutes after using it and you don't have the cure, you're dead.” Emiliano’s brows drew tighter.“Dario’s personal assistant just came to get the drug two hours ago. I should’ve gone straight to Dario to warn him, but I know the bastard wouldn’t let me in,” August continued.“Wait,” Emiliano narrowed his eyes at him. “You’re saying I should take you to Dario now so you can cure him? Or you’ve already got the cure?”“You really are a doctor—you caught on quick,” August said. “Dario will be having lunch in two hours. Enough time to save him.”Emiliano burst into laughter. “Damn. Everyone seems to know Dario’s schedule these days. Guess it’s time he changed it.”He reached for a long-wired telephone on his desk. Charles hadn’t even realized people still used those.“Some riffraff are here again,” Emiliano said in Colombian Spanish. “Claim Dario’s been poisoned. Okay.” He hung up and slid the

She looked like she wanted to say more but bit her tongue, stepped to the door, and pulled it open.Outside, August was sitting on the pavement. He jumped to his feet when he saw Charles.“I’m really sorry for my recklessness, sir. Going forward, I won’t do anything you don’t approve of.”Charles scanned him. No visible injuries. “I see you didn’t get too banged up,” he said, partly relieved.Relief that would’ve lasted—if not for the sneaky woman beside them. She didn’t leave. Whether she was crazy, stupid, or simply living to annoy Charles was anyone’s guess.“Our plan still stands?” she asked August.“Let’s go, August.” Charles didn’t look at her.“I’ll be waiting outside after my shift. You owe me one.” She waved and disappeared back inside.Charles turned to August. “You’re not going, right?”“No way, sir.”“Good.”“We should go back to that boy’s house,” August said. “She distracted those men long enough for me to get out. I’m sorry—this was supposed to be about you.”Ten minute

“Yes!” August shouted. “I knew it, sir. That kid is an idiot. I told you something was suspicious about him. I knew—wait a second.” He stopped mid-rant. “If he’s working for Dario, why are we still staying here?”Charles lay back on the sofa, eyes half-lidded. “Because I can’t wait to meet that bastard.”“Sir, are you feeling sleepy already?” August asked.“Yeah. When we get to Dario, you can wake me.” His voice was already heavy, like someone halfway to sleep.“Sir!” August rushed to him. Was Charles insane? Using himself as bait like this?“Sir!” He shook him harder, but Charles’ eyes stayed closed, his breathing slow.August dragged a hand through his hair. This was bad. He had plans tonight—plans that involved the nurse who’d promised earlier to get Charles out alive only if August agreed to go on a date with her. If he has not promised her, the nurse would have left Charles in the hospital earlier today. Shit.That fucking bastard Ramiro had ruined everything.Speaking of the de

The buzzing continued, sharp, insistent. August flicked panicked glances her way, trying to signal with his eyes. Too dark—the car’s interior light had died years ago.Finally, the buzzing stopped.“That was Dario,” she said quickly. “A tracker. Picks up voice too, but you didn’t answer, so we’re good.”August’s grip tightened on the wheel. “And?”Her voice lowered. “Two more hours. That escort of yours—Raymond, or whatever—he’s not waking up. Not unless he gets the antidote.”August’s head snapped around. “What do you mean antidote?”“The kid spiked the meal. Without the cure, Raymond sleeps forever.”“You’ve got the cure, right?”She scoffed. “Even if I did, I wouldn’t hand it over. I’m pretty sure he’s the one who made you cancel our date.”“Nurse… shit.”“Stella,” she corrected coolly. “That’s my name.”“I’m better off dead if anything happens to Raymond. Where’s the cure?”“I don’t have it.”“Stella!”“Hey. Don’t fucking snap at me,” she muttered.August forced himself to breathe

Lauren twirled Hardin’s phone in her hand like she was already bored.“What’s your name?”“Lauren.” Hardin’s voice dropped low, like a secret. “I know this sounds insane, but I love you. If we could just hang out… I swear, I’d die fulfilled.” He leaned closer, his confidence wrapped in faux vulnerability.She raised a brow. “You doing this because of that news about Sadie getting married? What, she broke your heart?”Hardin smirked. “If I were kissing Sadie right now and saw you walk in, I’d stop mid-kiss and head straight for you.”Lauren blinked. Wow. Another lunatic in Sadie’s orbit. First Cox, then Charles, now this shamelessly daring guy. Sadie sure knew how to collect them.“Maybe I should know more about you,” Lauren said, lips curling. “You know Charles Decker?”“Charles?” Hardin frowned, feigning confusion as they strolled down the hallway together. “Who’s that?”“He was Sadie’s fiancé. Until a few days ago.”“Really? Sadie didn’t mention that.” Hardin tilted his head with ex