Dana drove with the headlights off until the road narrowed and the trees pressed close. The farm came into view just as the sky began to lighten.
She parked well out of sight and approached on foot, dressed in black. Moving through the edges of the property, staying just outside the cameras’ reach.
She fingered the key in her pocket. Hopefully, Mia hadn’t changed the locks.
No cars. No lights on here or at the farmhouse. She was good to go.
The door opened with a soft click. Dana slipped inside, closed it behind her, already familiar with the setup. The pantry door shut with barely a sound. Now, all she had to do was wait.
She had time. Mia would come back.
And when she did, Dana would be ready.
Tex’s intel was solid.That was the problem.
Dana’s cabin sat exactly where he said it would. Tucked back far enough from the road, you’d never know it was there unless you knew where to look.
They hit it fast.
Caleb was out of the truck before it stopped, weapon up, pulse hammering. The door gave way with a well-placed kick.
Empty.
No Dana.
Nate swept the back room. “No food out, no heat. The bed’s made, so she was here.”
Titus checked the bathroom. “Nothing recent.”
Silence fell.
The realization hit all of them at once.
“What if she doubled back?” Nate asked.
Caleb didn’t argue. He didn’t need confirmation. “Farm. Now.”
When Mia walkedinto the kitchen barn that morning, she wasn’t thinking about danger or being watched.
She thought about rosemary. About the invoice she still needed to send. About the satisfaction of being back where things made sense.
Everything was in its place and normal.
Ranger padded in behind her and settled near the door as he had since she came back. Not relaxed. Watching.
She set her bag down, tied her apron, picked up a knife and started chopping.
The familiar sounds settled her. The hum of the refrigerator. The steady rhythm of the blade.
Ranger rose. A low sound rumbled in his chest.
Mia slowed.
The space felt … off.
She told herself it was nothing.
Slowly, she lifted her head.
