Aria’s POV
Romanov unfolded the note with hands that betrayed more than his face ever would.
I read it over his shoulder, my heart hammering against my ribs.
I found the proof. I know who’s behind Northbridge. I couldn’t wait for permission to leave—if I stayed, I would have led them straight to it. Trust me one more time. I’m going to end this.
“She left to protect us,” I said slowly, “or she left because she’s finally free to do whatever she actually intended to do.”
“Both interpretations are dangerous,” Romanov said, his voice flat. He was already moving toward the door, already reaching for his phone. “Full search. Every camera, every road out of this estate. She doesn’t leave this property without me knowing where.”
Security scrambled into motion around us, but I already knew w
