Nick drives while I keep myself busy because the last thing I need is to fall asleep and miss something important. Or worse, have another dream about her.
After last time, I think I'll pass on sleep for the foreseeable future.
I set up a new firewall on a laptop and sent it to Aaron before we left Italy—locked down to hell and back. If I disappear into something dark, I want a line out that doesn't leave a trail.
Aaron's been tangled in this mess longer than he'd like to admit. I helped him and Cat take down her father, one of the more hellish monsters the Italian mafia ever produced. And somehow that whole disaster ended with him thankfully alive, married, and pretending he's still in control.
But we go back further than that. Before blood debts and criminal adventures. Before he decided to play house with the womanwho used to be his literal enemy. Like knife-to-his-throat type of enemy.
Now he's a lovesick puppy like the rest of them.
Still, I'm happy for him. Same with Dominik, my other best friend, who happens to be a famous hockey player. He finally ended up with the woman he's been obsessed with since they were kids. Coincidentally, she's Aaron's little sister, which makes family dinners a fucking nightmare—but that's their problem now.
They got their happy endings, which is great for them, but I don't believe in that kind of thing.
Love isn't some great reward. It's leverage. A vulnerability you hand over and hope the person keeping it doesn't decide to crush you with it.
I learned that the hard way.
Loved once. Paid for it. Will never make that mistake again.
Life without love is quieter and a hell of a lot easier.
"We're getting close," Nick says, blinking the tiredness out of his eyes.
"Do you want to switch?"
He shakes his head. I decide to open the secure channel to Aaron and send a message before we arrive.
Rolling hills and endless fog. Can barely see five feet ahead. On the red trail—it hasn't gone cold yet. If I drop off, it's on purpose. Don't come looking unless I call.
I hesitate, then add one more line.
If things get messy, you know what to do.
The village appears slowly. Gray stone houses. A church steeple. One single pub with two cars parked outside.
Zara's voice crackles in my ear. "Last confirmed sighting was from a grocer two days ago. But the real signal came from beyond the village. Old estate on a rise. No name on record."
"Owned by Calder?"
"According to the records, no one officially owns it—which is definitely a red flag since it's not vacant land."
Nick slows as we pass a corner shop with a faded sign. I glanceat the window. A woman steps out holding a paper bag, and I have to remind myself it's not Keira. Not every woman I see around here will be her.
"We can still turn around if you want to play it safe," Zara suggests. "Pull back. Sweep from a distance. Run drone passes before?—"
"No."
The car climbs and the trees begin to close in, branches blocking out most of the light. I roll my shoulders once, trying to shake off the feeling of being watched.
And then out of nowhere a gate appears ahead, hanging crooked on one hinge.
The chains are cut clean through.
Nick kills the engine at the same time I swing my door open.
There is nothing ahead but old castle remains. The only sound is the ticking of hot metal and wind pushing through the trees. Maybe the main house is hidden from view, the whole thing meant to appear abandoned.
