Ninety Six

Atlas's tense expression softened at my words. He let out a small sigh and leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on my forehead. “Love you too, Lilith. Let’s just get this over with.”

We walked downstairs to the room where I kept my weapons, the weight of the situation heavy on both of us. The Night Owl headquarters held many memories, most of them dark and filled with danger. Returning there wasn’t something either of us took lightly.

I grabbed my guns from their secure case, checking to make sure they were fully loaded and in working order. Atlas stood by the door, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if he were already on high alert. His protective instincts were in overdrive, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt for dragging him into this.

“Ready?” he asked, his voice calm but firm.

I nodded, tucking the guns into my holster. “Ready.”

We left the house and got into Atlas’s car, the engine rumbling to life as he started it. The drive to the Night Owl headquarters was mostly sil