Line We Can’t Cross
The drive back was silent, the weight of what had just happened pressing down on both Evelyn and Theo like an unbearable storm. Ethan followed behind in his own car, keeping watch, making sure they weren't being followed.
Evelyn's hands trembled as she clutched the USB drive. She couldn't shake the image of her name on that hit list.
Theo noticed. His voice was quiet but firm. "We're going to stop this, Evelyn."
She looked at him, her breath uneven. "How? They're everywhere, Theo. They found us at the cabin within hours."
His grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Then we stop running. We take the fight to them."
Evelyn swallowed hard. "That's a dangerous plan."
He turned to her briefly, his gaze unwavering. "It's the only plan."
---
The Safe House
Ethan led them to a safe house—one of his many hidden properties. It was an old apartment in an unassuming part of town, the kind of place no one would look twice at.
Evelyn sat down at the small table, exhaling sharply. "We need to see what else is on this drive."
Ethan pulled up a chair. "I don't know if that's smart. They already tracked you once. We need to be careful."
Theo stood by the window, arms crossed. "Careful won't keep Evelyn alive. Knowing what's on that drive will."
Evelyn hesitated for only a moment before plugging the USB into her laptop.
The files loaded quickly.
More documents, more evidence, more names.
And then—a video file.
Evelyn's stomach twisted.
Theo moved beside her. "Play it."
She clicked on it, and the screen flickered to life.
It was surveillance footage. A dark alley. A man—her father.
He was speaking to someone off-camera. The audio was rough, but they could make out bits and pieces.
"I found everything. Moretti won't get away with this."
A voice responded, deep and unreadable. "You're playing with fire, Carter."
Her father didn't back down. "Then let it burn."
And then—
A gunshot.
Evelyn flinched.
Her father collapsed, blood pooling around him.
Theo swore under his breath. Ethan turned away, running a hand down his face.
Evelyn's throat closed up. She had spent years picturing how it happened, imagining the worst.
Now she was watching it.
Theo reached out, his fingers brushing over her hand, grounding her. A silent gesture, just for her.
"I'm so sorry," he said quietly.
Evelyn shook her head, blinking away the stinging in her eyes. "We have proof now. Proof that Moretti ordered the hit."
Ethan sighed. "Yeah, but proof won't mean a damn thing if we're dead before we can use it."
Theo's jaw tightened. "Then we need to move fast."
A Moment That Shouldn't Happen
Hours passed. Plans were made. Calls were placed. Ethan left to follow up on some leads, leaving Evelyn and Theo alone in the quiet apartment.
Evelyn sat on the couch, staring at the USB in her palm. Her father had died for this.
Theo sat across from her, watching her closely. "Talk to me."
She let out a slow breath. "I don't know what to say."
"Then don't say anything."
She looked at him. "What if we don't make it out of this?"
His expression darkened. "We will."
She shook her head. "You can't promise that."
He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "No, but I can promise that I won't let anything happen to you."
There was something raw in his voice, something unspoken.
Evelyn's heart ached. "Theo…"
He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The touch was gentle, careful.
A second too long.
She didn't pull away.
His fingers lingered at her jawline before he finally dropped his hand.
They were too close. The air between them felt electric, something neither of them wanted to acknowledge.
Evelyn's chest tightened. "This is a bad idea."
Theo's voice was low. "I know."
But neither of them moved.
And for a single moment, they let themselves forget about the danger, the past, and the war that was waiting for them.
Just one moment.
Then the door burst open.
Ethan.
"You two better get up," he said grimly. "We have a problem."
---
The Next Move
Ethan tossed a file onto the table. "I got a tip. Moretti knows you have the USB."
Evelyn's stomach twisted. "How?"
"Does it matter?" Theo muttered. "What's he doing about it?"
Ethan exhaled. "He's sending someone after you. Someone bad."
Theo straightened. "Who?"
Ethan hesitated. "Nathaniel Crane."
Theo's expression darkened instantly. "You're kidding."
Evelyn frowned. "Who is he?"
Theo's jaw tightened. "A fixer. If Moretti hired him, it means he's done playing games. Crane doesn't miss."
Ethan nodded. "We need to disappear. Now."
Evelyn clenched her fists. "I'm not running anymore."
Theo looked at her, something unreadable in his gaze. "Then we fight."
She met his eyes, her determination matching his. "We end this."
The war had begun.
End of Chapter 25