The night wind howled through the broken
window, scattering dust and fragments of glass across the wooden floor. Ethan stared at the blood-stained message Rico had left behind.
YOU CAN’T SAVE HER TWICE.
The words hit Maya like a physical blow. She clutched Jenna’s trembling form, refusing to let go—as if Rico might appear again and snatch her away.
Ethan rose from the floor, jaw tight, every muscle coiled in lethal restraint.
“He escaped,” Maya whispered, her voice raw.
Ethan didn’t answer immediately. He scanned the window frame, the smear of blood on the sill, the muddy boot prints leading out to the porch roof.
“He jumped,” Ethan said, eyes narrowing. “He’s injured, but not enough to stop him.”
Maya looked up at him. “We have to go after him.”
He shook his head. “No. Not tonigh
