Chapter 2

Avalon scrambled down the rusted fire escape. The metal groaned under her weight. Her combat boots hit the wet pavement of the New York alleyway with a heavy splash. She sprinted toward the main avenue. She pulled her black hood up, shielding her face from the driving, freezing rain. Sirens wailed in the distance. Suddenly, three black Escalades tore around the corner. Tires screeched violently on the wet asphalt. They cut off the alley's exit, high beams blinding her. Avalon skidded to a halt. She cursed under her breath. Heavily armed men poured out of the SUVs, rain bouncing off their tactical gear. She spun around to retreat. Two more guards stepped out from the shadows, blocking the opposite end of the alley. Trapped. The rear door of the lead Escalade opened. A guard raised a large black umbrella into the stormy night. Sterling Vanderbilt stepped out. His face was still deathly pale, and his steps were a fraction slower than usual, his body clearly still feeling the physiological aftershocks of the poison. Yet, his posture was terrifyingly dominant. The neurotoxin was completely purged, but his physical weakness was masked by pure willpower. He looked like a god of death walking through the rain. Avalon tightened her grip on the stolen Glock. She calculated her odds. Twelve armed professionals. Zero cover. Sterling walked slowly toward her. His expensive Italian leather shoes stepped carelessly into the filthy puddles. He stopped exactly five feet away. His piercing gray eyes scanned her from head to toe. "Are you Citron?" Sterling demanded. His voice cut through the sound of the rain. Avalon let out a brazen, harsh laugh. She leaned casually against the wet brick wall, completely ignoring the guns pointed at her. "I told your lapdog upstairs," Avalon said. "I'm Dr. D. I'm a vet. I used a potent antivenom serum originally prepped for a racehorse bitten by a krait. You got lucky the toxin profiles shared similarities." Sterling's jaw clenched. The muscle feathered in his cheek. His pride was visibly stung by the implication that he had been treated like livestock. He took a slow, threatening step forward. He invaded her personal space. The scent of expensive cedar and cold rain washed over her, suffocatingly close. He reached out. His thumb roughly tilted her chin up. His grip was firm, his skin still cool from the freezing rain. He searched her eyes, looking for a crack, looking for a lie. Avalon didn't flinch. She maintained a gaze of absolute, bored annoyance. Her stomach tightened, but she forced her breathing to remain slow and even. "Why does a simple vet possess CQC skills that can take down my elite enforcer?" Sterling asked softly. Avalon smirked. "Dealing with rabid pit bulls in underground fighting rings requires a heavy hand. You think those dogs just sit still for a shot?" The excuse was logically flawless. Sterling's thumb brushed against her jawline. His eyes narrowed. Avalon boldly slapped his hand away from her chin. "My consulting fee," she demanded, holding out her empty hand. "For the house call." Caleb, standing near the SUV with an ugly purple bruise forming on his neck, shouted over the rain. "She deserves a bullet, boss, not money!" Sterling raised a single hand. Caleb instantly snapped his mouth shut. Sterling's gaze never left Avalon's face. "How much do you want?" Sterling asked. He was testing her greed. "Five million," Avalon said without blinking. "Untraceable cryptocurrency." Sterling let out a dark, amused chuckle. The sound vibrated in his chest. He was genuinely impressed by her sheer audacity. He snapped his fingers. Caleb reluctantly pulled out a secure, waterproof tablet. He tapped the screen furiously. A second later, Avalon's burner phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, checked the anonymous wallet confirmation, and pocketed it with a satisfied grin. Sterling stepped aside, clearing her path. "If you're lying about Citron," Sterling warned, his voice a low promise of violence, "I will hunt you down." Avalon confidently walked past him. Her wet shoulder brushed deliberately against his tailored suit. She projected absolute fearlessness. She disappeared into the crowded, chaotic subway station. Sterling stood in the empty alley, staring at the spot where she had been. He rubbed his thumb over his index knuckle, intensely intrigued.