One hundred million dollars.
The words echoed in my head.
A hundred million.
For information.
For our location.
For us.
I suddenly couldn’t breathe.
Lucien’s arm tightened around my waist.
“Look at me.”
I did.
His gray eyes were steady.
Calm.
Protective.
“You’re safe.”
But for the first time…
I wasn’t sure anyone could promise that.
⸻
The police quickly escorted Julian toward the vehicles.
Yet he still looked pleased.
Almost triumphant.
As if he had already won.
As he passed me, he paused.
“You should hurry.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“What?”
He smiled.
“If I were you…”
He glanced at his watch.
“…I’d find my sister before someone else does.”
Then he got into the police car.
The door shut.
And he was gone.
⸻
Silence settled over the clearing.
Finally, Dami
