The safe house was no longer safe.
Theo didn't waste time. Within minutes, they had gathered their essentials and were out the door, moving swiftly into the night.
Evelyn's heart pounded as she sat in the back of the car, gripping her bag tightly. The realization was sinking in—Moretti knew where they were.
Which meant nowhere was safe.
Ethan drove, his knuckles white against the wheel. "We have two options—either we find another hideout, or we take the fight to Moretti."
Theo's jaw tightened. "We're not ready for that fight. We need information first."
Evelyn exhaled sharply. "So, we run?"
Theo glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "We survive."
---
A Temporary Refuge
They reached an abandoned motel on the outskirts of town. A place Ethan had secured months ago, just in case.
The room was small, barely furnished, but it would do.
Theo locked the door behind them, double-checking the security. Evelyn sat on the edge of the bed, exhausted but unable to relax.
Ethan ran a hand through his hair. "We need to figure out how Moretti found us."
Evelyn frowned. "Could it have been Crane?"
Theo shook his head. "No. Crane doesn't work like that. If he wanted us dead, he would've done it himself."
Ethan sighed. "Then we have a rat."
Silence filled the room.
The thought was unsettling. Someone had betrayed them.
Evelyn leaned forward, rubbing her temples. "We don't have time for this. If Moretti is tracking us, we need to stay ahead of him."
Theo sat beside her, his voice softer now. "We will."
She looked at him. "How can you be so sure?"
His eyes didn't waver. "Because I won't let anything happen to you."
Her breath caught.
The weight of those words settled between them.
Ethan cleared his throat. "I'll take first watch. Get some rest."
Theo nodded but didn't move. Neither did Evelyn.
The room was dimly lit, shadows stretching across the walls.
She knew she should sleep, but the fear of what awaited them kept her awake.
Theo must have noticed because he sighed and leaned back against the headboard. "You're not going to sleep, are you?"
Evelyn shook her head.
For a moment, he was quiet. Then, without a word, he shifted slightly, making room.
Theo: "Come here."
She hesitated.
Evelyn: "What?"
He gave her a look. "You won't sleep like that. Just… trust me."
After a pause, she relented, lying down beside him.
Not touching, but close enough to feel his presence.
Safe.
Her eyes fluttered closed.
Theo's voice was softer now. "Sleep, Evelyn."
And for the first time in a long time, she did.
---
The Trap is Set
Morning came too soon.
Ethan was already packing up when Evelyn stirred, blinking sleep from her eyes.
Theo was still beside her, awake, but unmoving.
For a brief moment, it was easy to pretend things were normal.
But reality hit the second Ethan spoke.
"We have a lead."
Evelyn sat up instantly. "What?"
Ethan tossed a folder onto the table. "One of Moretti's men is holed up in a club downtown. If he's the one feeding Moretti our location, we'll know soon enough."
Theo nodded. "Then we go."
Evelyn stood. "And if he doesn't talk?"
Theo's expression darkened. "Then we make him."
The war wasn't over.
It was just getting started.
End of Chapter 28