The forest was a well of shadows and silence, save for the faraway echoes of scurrying footsteps and the crackling of a branch here and there. With his heart racing, Luca darted between trees, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Little comfort came from moonlight filtering through the canopy, serving only to deepen the feeling of foreboding hanging in the air.
Behind him, Liam's voice cut through the night, calm with menace. "You cannot run forever. I'll find you."
Luca clenched his teeth and willed himself to run faster. "I have to get back to Ethan. He needs to hear the truth."
Liam's men spread out behind him, their boots pounding against the forest floor. "Over here!" one of them shouted.
Luca ducked behind a large oak tree, pressing his back against the rough bark as he t
