John knew better than to act on impulse.

  Every instinct screamed at him to start digging—to figure out why Cain’s people were suddenly interested in him, why Vance had chosen him for the job, and why Aria had shown up knowing things she shouldn’t.

  But rushing in without a plan? That was how people died.

  So instead of diving headfirst into danger, John did what he did best.

  He watched.

  For most people, disappearing in New Eden was impossible. The city was wired, monitored, crawling with enforcers, cameras, and drones.

  But John had been invisible long before Cain ever knew his name.

  He knew how to move without being noticed. He knew which streets had blind spots, which alleys led to nowhere, and which rooftops gave the best view of the underworld below.

  For the next two days, he became a ghost.

  He avoided his usual spots, changed his routine, and stayed mobile. He picked up food from different sources, never lingered in one place for too long, and most importantly—he paid attention.

  And it didn’t take long before he found what he was looking for.

  The first tail was sloppy.

  A low-level thug, probably from one of Cain’s smaller operations, pretending to loiter near the market district.

  John didn’t make a move.

  He let himself be followed for a few blocks, taking note of every twitch, every nervous glance, every time the guy checked his communicator.

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  Cain wasn’t watching him personally.

  Not yet.

  But he had people watching.

  That meant something.

  Why?

  John didn’t have an answer. But he knew one thing—if Cain wanted something from him, it was only a matter of time before he stopped watching and started acting.

  John was perched on a rooftop, rain dripping off the edge of his hood, when he heard the familiar voice behind him.

  "You’re getting better at this."

  John didn’t turn.

  "Or you’re getting worse at sneaking up on people," he replied.

  A quiet chuckle. "Maybe."

  Aria. Again.

  She stepped beside him, gazing out over the city.

  "You’ve noticed them," she said.

  John didn’t bother denying it. "They’re not subtle."

  Aria tilted her head slightly, as if considering something. "Cain doesn’t waste resources for no reason. If he’s keeping eyes on you, there’s a purpose."

  John exhaled. "Any idea what that purpose is?"

  Aria didn’t answer immediately.

  Instead, she studied him for a long moment. Like she was deciding something.

  Then, finally—

  "Do you trust me, John?"

  John almost laughed.

  He turned to face her fully for the first time, meeting her gaze. Calm, unreadable, but not cold.

  Trust?

  Trust didn’t exist in the lower districts.

  It was a word people used when they wanted something.

  And Aria—Aria always wanted something.

  John didn’t answer her question.

  Instead, he said, "You already know what Cain wants, don’t you?"

  Aria sighed. "Maybe."

  "Maybe," John echoed, unimpressed.

  Aria crossed her arms. "It’s not that simple."

  "It never is."

  She studied him again. "You’re going to find out soon anyway. But I’ll give you a piece of advice—whatever you think this is, it’s bigger. And if you’re smart, you’ll walk away before it’s too late."

  John held her gaze. "You don’t think I’m smart?"

  "I think you’re the kind of person who can’t help asking questions," she said. "And that’s going to get you killed."

  She turned, stepping away. "Think about it, John."

  Then she was gone.

  John stayed on the rooftop long after Aria left.

  His mind ran through everything.

  The package. Vance. The watchers. Cain’s growing interest.

  And now Aria was warning him to walk away.

  That meant there was something to walk away from.

  Something real. Something dangerous.

  But John wasn’t the kind of person who ran.

  He was the kind of person who found answers.

  And if Cain was watching him, then it was time to start watching Cain back.