"So the ransom coordinates are the trap," Ethan said, some of the frustration in his voice giving way to grim clarity. "Marcus is at the northern safehouse. Lightly guarded, easily rescued."
"That would be the obvious conclusion," Grayson said carefully. "Which is precisely what concerns me. Hunters are patient, methodical. If they wanted us to draw exactly this conclusion, staging one location to appear vulnerable while genuinely holding Marcus at the fortified site instead, we'd be walking directly into their preferred outcome."
"Or," Lily said slowly, working through the logic herself, "the fortified location really is meant to capture me, and Marcus really is at the lighter guarded site, and you're over thinking a situation that's actually exactly what it appears to be."
Grayson stu
