The sea went on forever, dark waves consuming the remnants of Antonov’s burning empire. The boat sliced through the water silently, save for the hum of the engine and the fading wail of sirens behind them.
The unbidden sensation was new, it had been a long time since Isla had felt like that.
Not relief. Not victory.
Just… silence.
“No more running. No more glancing over her shoulder. No more waiting for the next assault.”
But that didn’t mean the war had ended.
Gabriel, his hands steady on the wheel, looked back at her.
“We should be out of radar contact in 10 minutes. From there we go to the safe house.”
Safe.
The word felt foreign.
Nathaniel rested against the railing while he reloaded.
“We need to discuss what happens next.”
No one responded.
Because none of them knew.
I
