The forest seemed to hold its breath as Robert’s voice cut through the cold night air. His hand hovered over the small device, his smile sharp and calculating.
“You’ve caused me a lot of trouble,” he said, his eyes locked on Claire. “But it ends here.”
“Don’t take another step,” John warned, his gun trained on Robert. “You won’t walk away from this.”
Robert chuckled, his voice rich with mockery. “And you think you will? You’ve been running for so long, you’ve forgotten what it’s like to face the inevitable.”
“What do you want?” Claire asked, her voice trembling but steady enough to pierce the tension.
Robert tilted his head, his expression turning almost thoughtful. “Oh, Claire, it’s never been about what I want. It’s about what you’re willing to give.”
Tara stepped forward, her face
