Detained—Gods At Play

When Tessa reached the car, the murmur of the crowd grew louder. The sirens were deafening now, the flashing red and blue lights reflecting off the polished windows of the boutique.

Parker turned to face the onlookers, his blooded hands slipping casually into his pockets. He scanned their faces, his gaze landing briefly on the boutique manager. The man stared back, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of understanding between them.

Parker tilted his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. It was almost like he was saying, Don't get in my way. Just watch. The manager said nothing, his arms still crossed as he stepped back into the doorway, signaling to the guards to stay put.

Before anyone else could react, the police arrived.

The flashing red-and-blue lights bathed the street in a chaotic glow as the sirens blared, piercing through the stunned silence of Rodeo Drive.