Chapter 2 Whispers of Love

With his iron-tight grasp on her wrist, Ethan pulled Jasmine through the maze of alleys while her pulse thundered in her ears. Behind them, the clamor of the city faded away as the ragged gasps of their breath and the desperate rhythm of their footfall overtook it. Shadowed figures rushed into the alleyway, their outlines stark against the sodium glare of streetlights, and she ventured to look back.

"Who are they, Ethan?" Her lungs burned as she choked.

"Not right now!" he yelled, his voice ragged at the ends. His gaze flashed forward, looking for a way out. "Just take off!"

Under wavering lamps, the tarmac gleamed as they skidded onto a lonely street. Jasmine's thoughts whirled. Their future seemed a bright promise as they laughed over charred scallops hours before. Under their feet, that future now shattered like glass.

"Where are we heading?" She spoke in sharp snatches.

"Somewhere secure." Ethan looked back, his jaw tightening. "A friend's house. Two blocks.

She stopped in mid-step and jerked her arm free. "Cease! Until you tell me what's going on, I won't take any more action!

His eyes were wild as he turned to face her. Do you believe this to be a game? Jasmine, they'll kill us! There is no time for-

"For what purpose? Have faith? Her voice broke. "You have been deceiving me! I've had enough of playing your puppet!

His mask briefly slipped-guilt, dread, a glimmer of agony. Then his grizzled thumbs brushed her cheeks as they framed her face. "I'm attempting to *rescue* you." Please have faith in me.

She was undone by the plea. Tears clouded the resolution in his eyes as she nodded.

They entered a little café where the noise of late-night customers and the harsh scent of espresso filled the air. Ethan dragged her into a dark back hallway after shouldering past empty tables. They were locked in a closet-sized office as a door clicked shut behind them.

"Who are they?" With her back against the crumbling wallpaper, she demanded.

He ran a hand through his hair as he paced. "A syndicate." I owed them. attempted to break off contact, but they refused to let go.

"What did you owe them?"

"Is it important?" His voice rose as he wheeled on her. "You are now entangled in this as well, and I am neck deep in it!"

She winced. "So I'm to blame for this?"

"No! No, God. His breath was warm against her temple as he drew closer. I believed I could outpace them. Ensure your safety. However, they discovered us, and-

From the café came a crash. The glass broke. Orders were yelled by voices.

Ethan stopped. "Remain here."

"Like hell!" She took hold of his sleeve. "You're not allowed to be the hero!"

"Jasmine-" His eyes became stony. "They'll use you to break me if they take you." And I'll allow them to.

Between them hung the unvarnished admission.

He got away with it.

She pressed her ear to the door, alone, the tile scratched by boots. A man snarled, "Look for her.

Her heart stopped beating. Ethan.

The door swung open. With blood dripping from his lip, he staggered in. "Now back out!"

The smell of dampness choked her as they ran along a little hallway. Ethan pushed open a steel door that loomed ahead, its corroded hinges screeching.

Her face was assaulted by cold air. Freedom-until someone appeared out of the shadows.

"Going out so quickly?"

The man's grin shone like a sharp edge. fitted suit, merciless eyes. In his hand glittered a handgun.

Ethan pushed Jasmine out of his way. "Go now."

However, the alley stopped at a dead end. The walls closed in.

The man gave a hollow, icy laugh. "Very nice. Little songbird, you have nowhere left to hide.

Ethan's fingers touched Jasmine's. squeezed.

Sharp and humorless, the man's laughter reverberated off the walls of the alley. The pistol gleamed in the moonlight like the fangs of a serpent as he walked closer, his polished shoes clicking against the sidewalk. Jasmine's throat constricted; the metallic tang of anxiety was nearly palpable on her tongue.

The man drewled, his voice dripping with feigned enthusiasm, "Sterling, you've led us on quite the chase." "But eventually, even rats fall into traps."

Ethan moved quietly until he was completely between Jasmine and the gun's barrel. "Give her up," he snarled. "You and I are the only ones involved."

"Yes, but it's not." The man cocked his head, looking down at Jasmine. "No longer. You see, Mr. Sterling, we have discovered something fascinating about you. How... invested have you become in this one? He waved the rifle at her, his lip curving. "Complicates matters." or enjoyment*. It depends on your viewpoint.

Ethan's palm was penetrated by Jasmine's fingernails. "What is he trying to say?"

Ethan whispered, "Nothing," but the man interrupted.

"Darling, your husband owes us more than just money. He must be devoted to us. Additionally, when you betray a promise to the Syndicate... He gave a shrug. "All right. Let's assume that we use blood to collect debts.

Ethan's muscles tensed, poised to flex. "If you touch her, I'll-"

"You'll what?" The man's voice became a poisonous murmur. "You don't have any weapons. outnumbered. and *weak*. He lifted the firearm and aimed it directly at Jasmine's forehead. However, I'm feeling giving. Give me the ledger, and I might hasten her demise.

The ledger? Jasmine's thoughts whirled. Ethan had never brought up-

Ethan spit out, "I don't have it."

"Liar." Over the trigger, the man's finger lingered. "You believe that we would pursue you based on a *hunch*? We are aware that you took it. You'll see her die tonight unless you-

In the distance, a garbage can clattered. A momentary distraction, the man's head snapped toward the sound.

Ethan sprang forward.

There was anarchy.

The rifle flew into the air as Ethan struck the man's torso. In the tight alley, a shot rang out, the blast thunderous. As the two guys struggled, their moans and profanities mingling with the clash of leather on pavement, Jasmine staggered back.

"Go!" Ethan pinned the man's wrist to the floor with a yell.

However, Jasmine stood motionless, her inner defiance and fear at odds. A rusty fire escape ladder dangled just above her as she looked around the alley. She jumped mindlessly, her fingers grabbing at the chilly metal bars. She grabbed to the ladder and pulled herself up as it shrieked downward and almost unhinged.

"Ethan! Right here! She let out a scream.

The man rushed to his feet, rifle lifted again, and he broke loose, running for her. As Jasmine ascended higher, Ethan leaped onto the ladder, his weight jarring it. Another shot sprayed stone pieces as it bounced against the bricks.

"Keep going!" As they climbed, Ethan pushed, protecting her body with his.

Their combined weight caused the fire escape to tremble, but they continued until they arrived to the rooftop. The city spread out below them like a merciless judgment, and Jasmine's knees gave way as the chilly wind battered her face.

Ethan took her shoulders in his. "Are you in pain?"

Her hands shook violently, but she shook her head. Which ledger is he referring to? What did you take?

His silence was sufficient response.

Below, footsteps hammered on the fire escape.

Ethan whispered, "No time," and drew her to the roof's edge. Another rooftop loomed across the distance between buildings, a four-foot gap that could have easily passed for a canyon.

"We are unable to jump that!" Jasmine choked.

"We must!" Desperate, he fixed his gaze on hers. "Believe me."

Over the edge, she looked. The street swam in a blur of shadows and automobile lights six levels below. She felt her gut lurch.

Ethan interlaced his fingers with hers and added, "Together." "On three."

The ladder shook, their assailant drawing near.

"One."

Jasmine's heart pounded.

"Two."

We will perish. We will perish. We'll-

"Three!"

With momentum, they dashed into the emptiness. Jasmine swore time paused for a second, her feet hanging in midair, the world holding its breath.

Then, as they rolled, Ethan's arm hooked her waist and her knees smacked onto the roof across from her. Her elbows burned with pain, but they were alive.

Ethan pulled her to her feet. "Go, go, go!"

The Syndicate man's furious cry followed them as they ran across the rooftop. "You will never get away from us!"