Chapter 10

The silence inside the speeding car was so real. The only sound was the tires against the road, punctuated by Ivan's steady breathing.

Madeline held him close, her heart still hammering from their narrow escape. He was safe. That was all that mattered.

But Hugo and Domenico were still out there.

"We need to go back." She said to Luca.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Not yet." Luca said.

Madeline bristled. "We can't just leave them behind—"

"They knew the risks," Luca said, voice calm but firm. "Right now, getting Ivan to safety is the priority."

Madeline clenched her jaw, but she couldn't argue. She hated it, but she knew Luca was right.

Catherine, who had been silent since they escaped, finally said something. "There's a safe house about an hour from here. We'll regroup there and figure out the next move."

Madeline glanced down at Ivan. His eyelids fluttered, exhaustion pulling him under.

She ran her fingers through his messy hair. "Alright. But the moment we have a plan, we're going back for them."

Luca nodded. "Agreed."

The road stretched before them, winding through dense trees. The weight of what had happened sat heavily in Madeline's chest.

Victor had let them escape too easily.

Something about it didn't sit right.

She turned to Luca. "Victor could have killed us back there you know."

 "Yeah."

"Then why didn't he?" He asked.

A beat of silence passed before Luca answered. "Because he's not done with you."

Madeline shivered.

Victor was playing a game.

And she had just moved exactly where he wanted her.

---

They reached the safe house just as dawn painted the sky in orange. It was a secluded cabin, hidden deep in the forest, far from prying eyes.

Catherine parked the car, and Luca was out first, scanning the area before giving the all-clear.

Madeline carried Ivan inside. He stirred but didn't wake, too exhausted from the ordeal.

The inside of the cabin was small but functional. There were only two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. It would do.

Madeline gently laid Ivan down on the couch, covering him with a blanket.

She ran her fingers over his cheek, her heart aching. He looked so small, so fragile. She had missed weeks of his life, and she would never get them back.

But she had him now.

She wouldn't let anyone take him from her again.

---

Hours passed.

Madeline paced the living room, her mind restless. Luca was outside, checking the perimeter. Catherine was in the kitchen, trying to act normal, but Madeline could see the worry on her face.

Still no word from Hugo or Domenico.

The longer they waited, the more uneasy Madeline became.

Finally, Luca returned. "We have to assume the worst."

Madeline's stomach twisted.

Catherine frowned. "We don't know that yet."

Luca shook his head. "It's been too long. If they were coming, they would have reached us by now."

Madeline crossed her arms. "Then we go back."

Luca hesitated. "It could be a trap."

Madeline glared at him. "Everything is a trap. That doesn't mean we sit here and do nothing."

 "Fine. But we do it my way."

---

By nightfall, they were back on the road. This time, they are well prepared.

Luca had secured weapons, and Catherine had mapped out possible escape routes.

Madeline's heart still stiff as the fortress loomed in the distance. The place was very quiet. No guards. No signs of life.

It felt wrong.

They moved cautiously, sticking to the shadows.

Luca held up a hand. "Something's off."

Madeline's pulse quickened. "It's too quiet."

They reached the entrance where the fight had taken place. Bloodstains still marked the ground.

Madeline's breath caught.

And then she saw him.

Domenico.

He was slumped against the wall, unconscious. Blood matted his hair, his shirt torn.

She rushed to him. "Domenico!"

He groaned, eyelids fluttering. "M-Madeline?"

Relief flooded her, but it was short-lived. "Where's Hugo?"

Domenico winced as he tried to sit up. "They took him."

Madeline's stomach dropped.

Luca swore under his breath.

Domenico coughed. "Victor knew you'd come back."

Madeline clenched her fists. "Damn it."

Victor had set the board, and they had walked right into it.

Luca helped Domenico stand. "We need to go. Now."

Madeline's hands shook with anger, but she forced herself to stay focused.

They would get Hugo back.

But this time, they would be the ones setting the trap.

And Victor wouldn't see it coming.