Chapter 4

The sudden silence from the bathroom sent a jolt of pure adrenaline straight through my veins. The steady hiss of the shower had ceased, replaced by the heavy, dripping echo of water hitting the tile. Silvan would be stepping out in seconds.

My hands flew across the bed, gathering the spilled contents of his toiletry bag—the toothbrush, the shaving cream, the cologne. I shoved them back inside, zipped the bag with a trembling hand, and tossed it into the black suitcase. I threw the shirts and the heavy coat back over it, forcing the zipper shut just as the bathroom…