Chapter 31 Blood-Red Evidence

Alicia’s POV

The moment I stepped outside, I spotted them—two agents I’d seen earlier, standing a little too straight by the curb. Same boring suits, same don’t-mess-with-me expressions. But this time, they weren’t pretending to be part of the background.

One of them stepped forward and raised a hand. “Alicia White?”

I didn’t move. My breath hitched, just for a second.

Before I could say anything, Leo stepped in front of me. Not with some dramatic flourish or movie-style glare—he just shifted his weight, naturally, like it made sense for him to be standing between me and them.

“She’s with me,” he said, as casually as if he were ordering a drink.

The taller agent gave him a slow once-over. “We’ve been told to escort her in for preliminary questioning.”

Leo’s tone stayed even, but I could hear something different in it now—something sharp at the edges. “Figured you might show up. But she’s under PIRB jurisdiction.”

The shorter guy squinted slightly. “PIRB?”