Chapter 4 - The Shadow at the Campus GatesTwo days passed in a tense, suffocating blur.
The diner windows were temporarily replaced with thick plywood, and Russ kept an unusually wide berth around Mara, terrified of her sudden, unreadable demeanor. The neighborhood thugs from the auto shop hadn’t dared show their faces near the block, likely warned off by the invisible guard that Julian had quietly stationed around the Blue Lantern.
Mara tried to focus on normal life. That meant Thursday afternoon at the community college where her brother, Eli, attended classes.
She walked across the concrete courtyard, clutching her canvas bag, waiting for Eli to finish his pharmacology lecture. The autumn wind bit at her cheeks, and she pulled her thrift-store coat tighter around her.
That was when she noticed them.
Two men in identical charcoal suits were standing near the campus library entrance. They weren't students. They weren't faculty. They stood with that unmistakable, rigid posture—hands folded loosely in front, eyes scanning every passerby with predatory calculation.
Mara’s heart spiked. She turned to walk toward the administration building, but a third man stepped smoothly into her path.
"Ms. Bennett," the man said politely, tipping his head. He was broad-shouldered, with a sharp scar across his left eyebrow. "The Boss requests your presence."
"I'm not going anywhere with you," Mara said, stepping back, her voice shaking despite her attempt at bravery. "Tell Julian to leave me alone. I’m waiting for my brother."
"Your brother is currently being escorted to a secure vehicle by two of our best operatives," the man replied, gesturing toward the parking lot.
Panic surged through Mara like an electric shock. "You touched Eli? If you hurt him—"
"We haven't touched a hair on his head, Ms. Bennett. We upgraded his class project score, paid off his remaining tuition balance for the semester, and secured a full-ride medical internship at Philadelphia General Hospital starting next month."
Mara froze. "What?"
"The Boss does not leave loose ends, and he does not allow enemies to use family as leverage. Vance’s men were spotted near the campus ten minutes ago. You and your brother were no longer safe here."
Before Mara could process the sheer absurdity and terror of the situation, a sleek, matte-black Mercedes SUV pulled up curbside. The rear door clicked open automatically.
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Inside, sitting in the leather-lined interior with a laptop resting on his knees, was Julian. He looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers through the tinted glass.
"Get in, Mara," Julian said softly. "It’s time we talk without a diner counter between us."
