They glided like ghosts through the narrow lanes between cottages, pausing whenever voices echoed through the fog.Twice, they had to duck into doorways as hunters passed, their heavy boots and easy chatter marking them as confident predators.Occasionally, their radios squawked.
By the time they arrived at the edge of the mayor’s property, Liam’s vision was swimming.Sweat beaded his forehead despite the cool, damp air.
“How much farther?”he mumbled.
“Just to that building.”Kitto pointed through the gloom toward a small structure barely visible beyond an ornate fountain.“Wait here while I check if Jules is around.”
He melted into the shadows, leaving Liam swaying against Calan’s steady bulk.
“My brother is full of secrets,” Calan muttered, but there was affection in his tone.
Kitto returned within minutes.“Jules is here.She says it’s safe to come in.”
“Will she tell her father we’re here?”
“No.”Kitto’s voice held absolute certainty.“She’s furious with him for bringing danger to the village.Her mother isn’t speaking to him either.”
They skirted the fountain—a Greek goddess pouring water from an urn—and Liam tried not to look at the dark windows of the mayor’s mansion.His legs were barely holding him up, and paranoia whispered that someone was watching from behind those curtains.
Kitto tapped on a door.It opened right away, and a pretty blonde stepped aside, her movements smooth, her gaze already scanning the street behind them.
Jules wasn’t who Liam had expected.Beautiful, yes, but her bright blue eyes held intelligence and determination rather than the vapid entitlement he’d expected from the mayor’s daughter.She took in his condition with one sweeping glance before springing into action.
“Put him on the couch,” she said, closing and locking the door behind them.“He needs to lie down before he falls.”
The studio was larger than it had appeared from outside, with easels and canvases arranged around the space.The sharp, pungent scent of turpentine and oil paints filled the air.Under any other circumstances, Liam would have been curious about her work.
They guided Liam to a paint-spattered couch, and his knees gave out the moment they let go.He collapsed onto the cushions with a pained grunt.
“Easy,” Kitto murmured, guiding him back.“Rest while we figure out the next step.”
“I should help plan,” Liam said, his voice thin.
“You’ve had two head injuries and got shot tonight,” Calan replied.“Rest.We’ll need you tomorrow.You’re no use to us if you’re unconscious.”
Liam blinked up at him, some of the tension easing from his shoulders.The quietest Teague brother was speaking up, and his words carried the same steady weight as his father’s.
Around them, low conversation stirred as the others mapped their next move.Outside, hunters prowled with renewed purpose.And somewhere in the fog, Edwin Smith was likely plotting how to grow his collection.
But here, surrounded by the fierce loyalty of the Teague family and an unexpected ally, Liam let himself relax.They’d rescued Sophie.They’d bloodied the billionaire’s nose.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, they were alive and together.
That had to be enough.
Chapter 17
Thenotknowingwaskilling her.
The Pascoe family left, and Sienna watched as they drove away.With their departure, the window of escape they’d offered disappeared.Her family would have to find another way to leave Stoneford.
Without even considering the consequences, she jumped to her feet.“Mama, Papa.I’m going to work.We need information if we’re going to make smart decisions.”
Both of them snapped their gazes to her.
Mama opened her mouth—likely to object—but Papa murmured something low, and Mama gave a reluctant nod.
“Be careful,” she whispered.
