“Who?” Carson demanded. “Who helped him?”
“We’re working on it. But, Carson—” Holloway’s expression was grave. “Eugene left a message. Spray-painted on the side of the transport van.”
“What message?”
Holloway pulled out his phone and showed Carson a photo.
Nora leaned in to look, and her blood turned to ice.
Written in red spray paint:FOUND YOU AGAIN.
“He’s coming for her,” Carson said quietly. “That’s the message. He’s not running. He’s hunting.”
“Which is why we need to get Ms. Bell somewhere secure,” Holloway said. “We have a safe house ready. Two officers on guard 24/7. No one in or out except authorized personnel.”
“I’m going with her.”
“Carson—”
“I’m going with her.” Carson’s tone left no room for argument. “She’s my responsibility. I’m not leaving her with anyone else.”
Holloway looked like he wanted to argue. But something in Carson’s expression made him nod. “Fine. But you follow protocol. You don’t go rogue. You don’t make this personal.”
Too late for that, Nora thought. This had been personal from the beginning.
They were escorted to an unmarked car, Finn driving, another detective following behind. The safe house was thirty minutes outside the city—a nondescript ranch house on a quiet street.
Inside, it was functional and cold. Bare walls. Basic furniture. Everything temporary.
Everything wrong.
Nora stood in the middle of the living room, feeling like she’d stepped back in time. Back to hiding. Back to being afraid.
Back to being a victim.
“I hate this,” she said quietly.
Carson came up behind her but didn’t touch her. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“This isn’t your fault.”
“It is. I let my guard down. I let myself believe it was over.” His voice was rough. “I should have known better.”
Nora turned to face him. “So what? We’re just going to hide here until Eugene is caught? And then what? Wait for the next threat? The next danger?”
“If that’s what it takes to keep you safe.”
“That’s not living, Carson. That’s just existing in fear.”
“Better thandying.”
The words hung between them, harsh and final.
Nora felt tears prick her eyes. “Is this how it’s going to be? Every time something goes wrong, you retreat? You push me away?”
“I’m not pushing you away. I’m protecting you.”
“It feels the same from here.”
