No Longer Yours to Break novel Chapter 25

Zoe’s honeymoon kicked off in Southport.

They hit all the spots–beach, her old school–wandering under the trees like they were trying to squeeze in every romantic moment they’d missed.

But something about it felt… off.

One night, after a late stroll down the food street, they rolled into the hotel parking lot just past midnight.

Zoe froze, scanning the shadows.

Lucian glanced at her. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know… it feels like someone’s following us.

His face shifted. “You’re not crazy. I’ve felt it too. Like we’re being watched.”

Her whole body tensed.

He caught the look in her eyes, pulled her close, and walked her into the elevator with a calm, easy smile. “It’s fine. Starting tomorrow, I’ll have extra eyes on us. No one’s getting near you.”

***

Even with Lucian’s calm promises, the unease stuck with Zoe.

Her gut kept screaming–something was coming.

That feeling slammed into her tho

night she saw Connor at an intersection.

They’d just wrapped up dinner, and that creepy, crawling sense of being watched was back–stronger this time. Quiet, but sharp.

She and Lucian locked eyes, then slipped down a side street, stopping near the mouth of an alley.

Five seconds later, Lucian stepped out–and slammed straight into Connor.

1/3

Chapter 29

Zoe exhaled, half in relief, then immediately flared up.

“Seriously? You’re following us again?”

But then she really looked at him–and froze.

It had only been a week, but he looked wrecked. Face hollow, stubble creeping in, and those dark circles? Brutal.

“I’m sorry,” he rasped. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay-”

“Okay?” she snapped. “If you hadn’t tipped off the Camorra family, none of this mess would’ve happened!”

Connor gave a bitter smile and, for once, didn’t even try to lie.

“You’re right. I did come with selfish reasons. But the past few days… I realized I’m not the only one lurking in the dark. I was trying to warn you.”

Lucian scanned the street. “Zoe’s been on edge, so I’ve had more people watching our backs. Maybe that’s who you saw?”

Connor shook his head, pressing his palm to his forehead like he was trying to piece it all together. “No… it was just one person. Small frame. Pretty sure it was a woman…

Then his eyes snapped to Lucian. “Have you followed up on Yvette Camorra’s case?”

Lucian hesitated, about to answer–but it was already too late.

A shadow moved. Fast.

Zoe saw Lucian’s face tighten, Connor’s eyes go razor–wide.

Schlunk.

The sound was sickening. Time stopped.

Zoe shoved Lucian without thinking. He yanked her back just as the blade sliced through the space she’d been in.

Connor’s eyes blew wide. In a blink, he spun and threw himself into the spot she’d

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