The explosion rocked the ground beneath the villa.
The sound had come from the woods behind the residence. She ran to the window. Purple flames lit up the timber. Smoke rose into the night sky.
Damien barged in. “They discovered us. That became a warning shot.”
“Isla—” Celeste gasped.
“She’s safe. Still in the hidden room,” he said quickly. “But we won’t be safe for long.”
Celeste rushed to Isla and held her tight. “We have to go. Now.”
Damien nodded. “There’s a route through the back trail. Leads to a safehouse. We move fast, we’ll be there before sunrise.”
They packed only the essentials. The files, the fake passports, cash, and a satellite phone. Celeste wrapped Isla in a coat and carried her.
By the time they slipped into the woods, gunshots echoed from the villa.
Someone had
