The Unshackled Queen: Never Say Never by Gilbert Soysal

After several rounds, her attention shifted from the screen to Bryson, who had been feigning sleep, his eyes closed and his breathing even.

Despite the noise, he seemed undisturbed.

Hannah studied him intently, a small frown creasing her forehead.

Even after all this time together, Bryson remained an enigma to her.

“Am I that fascinating to look at?”

Bryson murmured without opening his eyes, catching Hannah off-guard.

Hannah’s cheeks warmed, and she turned her attention back to her phone with a huff.

“Don’t flatter yourself.

”

One eyebrow arched, Bryson finally opened his eyes, meeting her gaze with a playful spark.

“Why not? Might as well consider me a narcissist.

”

“Humph!” was all Hannah managed, her mock annoyance failing to mask her embarrassment.

crept in, around 7 o’clock, Hannah

and settled a peaked cap on her head, her beautiful eyes the only feature fully visible beneath its

opted for a casual look, a black sports coat that toned down his usually

he might have passed for a college student, his

a leisurely spring outing than

and her associate Charlie took the lead,

Charlie adjusted his hat and turned to Hannah with

give me a moment

signal with one finger, make your way in through the same entrance

”

“Okay.

”

surveyed

he turned and gave the

seatbelt and turned to Dotson and the others

“Let’s move.

”

slipped out of the car and into the night; the coast

they entered the familiar tunnel, darkness enveloped them, the path ahead swallowed by shadow, as

on his flashlight, casting eerie

hushed his companions with

it down from here