*Ashley*
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart as I sit in the back of the SUV with Alexander nestled close to me. The engine hums softly beneath us, but my mind is racing. “Lucas,” I say, my voice steady despite the chaos swirling around us. “What do you want from us?”
He looks at me, his expression unreadable. “Not here,” he replies, his tone clipped.
“Not here?” I echo, confusion creeping into my voice. “Then where are you taking us?” I can’t let panic seep into my words, not with Alexander sitting beside me, wide-eyed and unsure.
Lucas shakes his head, his jaw set tight. The silence stretches between us, thick with tension, and I glance down at Alexander, who clutches my hand tightly. “It’s okay, buddy,” I whisper, trying to keep the fear out of my voice. “We’re j
