The quiet hum of the forest felt oppressive as Luca and Adrian squared off in the clearing. From her vantage point by the window, Elena's heart raced. The tension between the brothers was almost tangible, and she couldn’t shake the fear that whatever Adrian had come to say would upend everything.
“I don’t trust you,” Luca said coldly, the gun in his hand unwavering.
Adrian let out a short laugh. “That’s mutual, little brother. But I’m not the enemy right now. The people you’re running from? They’ve already tracked you here.”
“How?” Luca demanded, his voice sharp.
Adrian’s smirk faded. “Do you think they don’t know your every move? You can’t keep her hidden forever, Luca. She’s a liability.”
Elena flinched at the word, anger sparking in her chest. She wanted to burst out and confront A
