heatwave

Chapter 14.

The car’s engine roared as Logan sped down the dark highway, headlights slicing through the night. Savannah sat silently, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear, guilt, and confusion.

Dad... please be okay.

Logan glanced at her, his expression softening despite the tension in his shoulders. “We’ll find him, Savannah.”

She swallowed hard, blinking back tears. “He sacrificed himself for me. What if they—”

“They won’t,” Logan interrupted firmly. “Your dad knows how to handle himself. Right now, we need to focus on staying alive.”

Savannah nodded, though her chest felt like it was caving in. “Where are we going?”

Logan’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror before answering. “Safehouse. An old contact of mine. He owes me.”

They drove in silence for what felt like hours until they reached the outskirts of a small town. Logan pulled into a rundown motel, its neon sign flickering ominously. He cut the engine and turned to Savannah.

“Stay close to me,” he whispered. “We don’t know who might be watching.”

She nodded, following him into the motel’s dimly lit lobby. An older man behind the counter squinted at Logan, then smirked. “Didn’t think I’d see you again.”

“Need a room,” Logan replied, sliding a few bills across the counter. “No questions.”

The man chuckled but nodded, handing over a key. “Room 12. Far end.”

Once inside, Savannah collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion washing over her. Logan locked the door, checked the windows, and pulled the curtains shut before sitting beside her.

“Savannah,” he said softly, “we’ll figure this out.”

She looked at him, tears threatening to spill. “Logan... my father... this whole mess... I don’t know if I can do this.”

He gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. “You’re stronger than you think. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Her breath hitched as she leaned into him, their foreheads touching. “What if we never stop running?”

“Then we run together,” Logan whispered.

Their lips met, slow and tender at first, but quickly deepening with desperation and need. Logan’s hands tangled in her hair as Savannah clung to him, craving the safety his touch provided.

But as their embrace grew more intense, Logan’s phone buzzed.

He pulled away, cursing under his breath as he checked the screen. His eyes widened.

“What is it?” Savannah asked breathlessly.

“It’s your dad,” Logan whispered, showing her the message.

“Find the key. Zurich vault 417. Trust no one.”

Savannah’s blood ran cold. “A vault? In Zurich?”

Logan nodded grimly. “Whatever’s in that vault... it’s what The Broker wants.”

Savannah’s heart pounded. “Then we have to get there first.”

Logan’s jaw clenched. “It’s going to be dangerous.”

She laced her fingers with his, determination in her eyes. “We’ve come this far. I’m not backing down now.”

Logan leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “Then let’s finish this.”

As they packed to leave, neither of them noticed the small, blinking tracker attached to the underside of Logan’s car.

They were already being followed.