heatwave

Chapter 12.

The drive to Savannah’s hometown was tense, the air thick with unspoken fears. Logan’s hand rested protectively on her thigh as the miles disappeared beneath them, but Savannah’s mind raced. Zurich. My father. What the hell is going on?

As they pulled into the quiet suburban neighborhood where she grew up, memories flooded back—bike rides down the cul-de-sac, late-night talks with her mom on the porch, and her father’s warm laugh echoing through the house.

But now, those memories felt like distant echoes of a life she wasn’t sure she understood anymore.

“I’ll come in with you,” Logan said softly, turning off the engine.

She shook her head. “No... I need to talk to him alone first.”

Logan frowned, clearly uneasy, but he nodded. “I’ll be right here.”

Savannah swallowed hard as she walked up the familiar pathway and rang the doorbell. Moments later, her father, David Carter, opened the door, his eyes lighting up when he saw her.

“Savvy! What a surprise!” He pulled her into a tight hug, but Savannah stiffened in his arms. He noticed instantly, pulling back to search her face. “What’s wrong?”

“We need to talk,” she whispered, stepping inside.

David led her to the living room, concern etched on his face. “What is it?”

Savannah took a shaky breath. “Dad... someone’s been watching me. Following me. They say I have something they want, but I don’t. And they mentioned you.”

“Me?” David’s eyes widened.

“Zurich,” Savannah said softly. “They told me to ask you about Zurich.”

Her father’s face paled, and for a moment, Savannah thought he might faint. He sank onto the couch, running a hand down his face. “Savannah... there are things I never told you. Things I never wanted you to know.”

Her heart pounded. “What things?”

David looked at her, guilt clouding his eyes. “I used to work for an international bank... but not just any bank. It was a front for something much bigger. Money laundering, illegal deals... and I found something I wasn’t supposed to. Something dangerous.”

Savannah’s voice shook. “What did you find?”

“A list,” he whispered. “A list of powerful people involved in crimes that would destroy them if it ever got out. I took a copy to protect myself... but I never knew they’d come after you.”

Savannah’s knees went weak. “You mean... they think I have it?”

David nodded. “I thought I hid it well. But if The Broker is involved, they must believe you know where it is.”

Suddenly, the front door burst open. Logan rushed in, gun drawn. “We need to go. Now.”

“What?” Savannah gasped.

“They found us,” Logan said, his eyes sharp and focused. “There’s no time.”

But before they could move, a voice echoed from the hallway.

“Going somewhere?”

Savannah’s breath caught in her throat as a tall figure stepped into the room—The man from the beach. The Broker’s messenger.

And he wasn’t alone.