Cole had definitely not intended for his Sunday to go like this. Hidden in a mall bathroom, holding his breath and praying the rival gang didn’t stumble upon him, he cursed his luck.

The day started off so well. He’d woken up to the news that his men had managed to gather intel on the Adobe gang. Sweet.

But then Arya, a family friend, had asked—no, insisted—that he accompany her to the mall. Cole had no interest in playing babysitter, but one stern look from his father had sealed the deal. He’d agreed, though not without making it clear to Arya that he’d rather be anywhere else.

They’d been walking and talking—well, Arya had been talking, while Cole scanned the surroundings, bored out of his mind. That’s when it happened.

A gunshot echoed in the distance, followed by screams and chaos as people scrambled for safety. Cole immediately ordered the bodyguards to get Arya out safely, then turned his attention to the source of the commotion.

In the distance, he spotted several men wearing jackets emblazoned with the word Adobe. Cole cursed under his breath and ducked into the nearest bathroom, locking himself in one of the stalls.

A minute later, the door burst open. Cole’s hand tightened around his gun as he peered through the small gap in the stall door.

But it wasn’t the Adobe gang. Instead, it was a guy—young, panicked, and breathing heavily. The stranger looked around frantically, his movements erratic. He’s gonna get us caught, Cole thought.

Without hesitation, he swung the stall door open, grabbed the guy by the arm, and yanked him inside, clamping a hand over his mouth to stifle any protests.

“Hey! Calm down,” Cole hissed, his voice low but urgent. “You’re gonna get us both killed if you don’t shut up.”