Zykin hums, a sound of reluctant satisfaction. “Then consider it arranged. I’ll send my people within twenty-four hours. They’ll handle transport. You’ll handle the noise.”
“Done.”
“And Caden?” he adds. “This woman of yours… she must be important.”
I looked at Elena again—her small frame, her brave face, her entire world hanging by a thread. “She is,” I say, meaning every word.
The line disconnects.
I lowered the phone slowly. My pulse still hammers, but the decision is a solid one even if Kamiyah may not forgive me for not telling her. Because when Priscilla finds out, Kamiyah’s shock is what’s going to convince everyone that she had nothing to do with Anna going missing.
The phonein my hand buzzes.
Both of us freeze as I lift it slowly.
One new message from my lawyer.
ACCEPTED.
Priscilla signed the documents. Haven Crest is legally secured. A slow released breath leaves me shaking, disbelieving.
Kamiyah’s hand covers my chest. “Caden?”
I pull her into me, holding her tight, burying my face in her hair. “She signed,” I whisper as she melts in my arms and sobs tears from her throat. In my arms I feel her relief. Grief. And her shock.
I hold her tighter.
Hold her like a vow.
“We’re not safe yet,” I murmur. “But this time… we’re winning.” And I will burn every bridge, every favor, every resource I have to make sure it stays that way.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
KAMIYAH
The text comes in just as I’m pouring tea, the kettle still hissing behind me.
One vibration.
One line.
One sentence that rips the floor out from under me.
Priscilla: After careful consideration of Anna’s quality of life and what your parents’ would have wanted, I’ve decided to end her suffering.
For a heartbeat, I don’t breathe. The mug slips from my hand and shatters against the tiles. “No,” I whisper, staring at the words, hoping they’ll rearrange themselves into something sane. Something human.
I type back with trembling fingers.
ME: Don’t do anything. I’m coming. Don’t you dare touch her.
ME: Priscilla! ANSWER ME.
No reply.
“Caden!” My voice comes out cracked, panicked. “We have to go. Now.”
He’s already moving before I finish, grabbing keys, shrugging into his shirt, reading my expression like it’s the only compass he needs. “What happened?”
