"Your mother is physically fine," Damien said carefully. "But something has happened that we need to discuss with her in person."
"What happened? Tell me right now...."
"Aria." He took her hand, held it firmly. "She's physically safe. I promise. But we need to go to her apartment."
She searched his face for a moment, then nodded. The frown didn't leave.
The drive to her mother's apartment took another fifteen minutes. Aria held Damien's hand tightly the entire way, not speaking but radiating controlled anxiety that he recognized as her version of worry.....contained, focused, preparing herself for whatever was coming.
He didn't tell her about the photographs. Didn't tell her that Alexander Wei had spent three days watching her from a distance, learning when she arrived at work and when she left. That felt like information that should come from her mother. That belonged to Mei to share.
