"We’ll figure it out once we’re on the move. But right now, we can’t stay."
Jean nodded, then turned to Emma, helping her carefully to her feet. Emma winced but kept her jaw tight, leaning only slightly on Jean.
As they moved toward the exit, Logan fell back for a mont beside Jean, his voice a low murmur ant only for her. "Stay close to . Whatever happens, don’t let go."
Jean’s fingers tightened around Emma’s arm but her eyes were locked on Logan’s, silently telling him. "I won’t."
And with that, together, they stepped into the hallway, the air outside already heavy with the threat of what or who might be coming.
They moved quickly down the dim hallway, shadows stretching across the peeling paint of the walls. The air felt too still... as if holding its breath before the storm broke.
Henry took the lead, one hand steadying Emma, whose breaths ca shallow and quick. He kept scanning every corner, every doorway they passed, as though expecting soone to jump out.
Logan kept slightly behind Jean and Hannah, his broad fra turning into a living shield between them and anything that could co from behind. Jean felt his hand brush the small of her back, firm and guiding... silently telling her. ’I’ve got you.’
Hannah stumbled slightly on the uneven floor, her eyes wide, fear obvious in her usually playful gaze. Logan caught her by the arm before she could fall, steadying her. "Careful," He murmured, softer than Jean had ever heard from him. "Stay close. Both of you."
Henry paused halfway down the stairs, twisting around to face them. His face was pale, his eyes tired but sharp.
"Listen," He said, voice low but urgent, "I left traces behind on purpose... so that you guys could find . I needed you to know where we were. But now it also ans the others might have tracked us here too."
Jean’s heart lurched. "Henry, what do you an?"
"Emma can’t be seen by anyone right now," He continued, glancing back at Emma, who clutched the railing, trying to stay upright. "Not until we have enough proof to bring down the ones after her. Until then... she’s safer staying invisible."
Hannah swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "Henry... who are these people? Why are they so dangerous?"
Henry’s gaze softened for a second as he looked at Hannah, the innocent girl who’d only ever known privilege and laughter... now seeing just how ruthless the world could be.
"They’re family," He said bitterly. "Or they used to be. And they won’t stop until Emma is either silenced or destroyed."
Jean felt Logan’s hand tighten protectively on her waist, drawing her closer. His voice dropped to a low, grave tone, as though he was speaking only to himself but the words were ant for her:
"Not happening. I won’t let them get to you. Either of you."
At the foot of the stairs, the ergency exit lood... a battered tal door that led to the dark alley outside. Logan stepped in front of Jean and Hannah, one hand held slightly out, as though to catch any danger before it reached them.
"Henry," Logan asked, glancing over his shoulder, "is the car ready?"
"Yes," Henry replied, his eyes still flicking left and right. "Parked just behind the dumpsters. It’s an old van, but it won’t draw attention."
Emma let out a shaky breath, her strength flagging. Henry imdiately wrapped an arm around her, supporting her weight.
"Co on, Em. Just a bit longer."
Jean glanced at Hannah, seeing the raw fear in her sister in law’s eyes. Hannah had always been the cheerful one, the one who teased and laughed. Now, her knuckles were white as she gripped her purse, fighting tears she wouldn’t let fall.
Logan stepped closer, his voice softer, his words ant to steady. "Hannah, look at ," he said. When she raised her gaze, he added, "You’re stronger than you think. And I won’t let anything happen to you. Not tonight. Not ever."
Jean’s chest tightened at the gentleness in his tone... the protectiveness not just for her, but for Hannah too.
They reached the door. Henry pushed it open, the tal creaking, and a cold breeze rushed in, heavy with the sll of rain and asphalt. Outside, shadows shifted... just the trash and wind... or maybe not.
Logan turned back to them, eting Jean’s gaze. "Stay behind , okay? And whatever happens... don’t run in different directions. We stay together."
Jean nodded, gripping Hannah’s hand so tightly her knuckles ached.
Henry added quietly, "Once Emma is safe, then we hunt them down. But first, we survive tonight."
And with that, together... two n ready to fight, two won clutching each other against the dark, and Emma pale but still breathing... they stepped out into the night, toward whatever waited for them in the shadows.
__________________________
The night air outside the building hit them like a slap... cold, sharp, and thick with tension. Rain from earlier still clung to the asphalt, reflecting the glow of distant streetlights like broken glass.
Henry tightened his arm around Emma, half carrying her toward the waiting van hidden behind overflowing dumpsters. Logan stayed right behind them, his eyes scanning the shadows beyond the alley, his hand resting near the concealed holster under his jacket.
Jean and Hannah hurried after them, boots splashing through shallow puddles, their breath misting in the cold air. Hannah clutched Emma’s bag to her chest, her eyes darting back every few steps, as if the darkness itself might lunge at them.
The van sat low and dusty... an old, battered thing with mismatched panels that made it look invisible in the backstreet gloom.
"Get in, now!" Henry hissed, jerking open the side door.
Emma climbed in first, guided by Henry and Jean. Logan helped Jean up, his hand steady on her lower back... he lingered just long enough to check behind them. For a heartbeat, the alley seed empty but then headlights flared at the far end, beams slicing through the mist.
A sleek black SUV skidded into view, its tires squealing as it halted. Figures spilled out... dark coats, heavy boots, the glint of sothing tal under the streetlights.
Alex. And his hounds.
Logan’s eyes narrowed, catching Alex’s silhouette at the head of the group, barking orders like a wolf with blood on his tongue.
"Drive, Henry!" Logan growled as he slamd the van door shut behind him, barely inside when the first shout echoed down the alley.
Henry didn’t wait... the old engine roared to life with an angry cough. The van lurched forward just as the first of Alex’s n bolted toward them.
Inside, the van rattled violently over potholes as Henry spun the wheel, taking the sharp corner that led them away from the approaching SUV. Tires screeched. Soone shouted. A muffled pop... gunfire? Logan ducked instinctively, shielding Jean and Hannah with his arm as the van sped up.
Hannah clung to Emma, whispering reassurances while fighting to keep her own panic buried deep. Jean sat close to Logan, her eyes locked on him... wide, wild with everything she hadn’t said yet but didn’t need to. He gripped her thigh, grounding her.
"Eyes on , Jean," Logan murmured. "We’re okay. We’re getting out of this."
Behind them, the alley shrank into the dark... Alex’s SUV blocked now by the sharp turn and the maze of narrow streets. Henry didn’t slow, weaving through back roads only he seed to know by heart.
Jean could feel the vibrations of the old van through her bones... her heartbeat matched every bump, every roar of the tires. But in that tiny, rattling space, with Hannah clutching Emma’s hand and Logan’s arm firm around her shoulders, she realized:
They were still together. Still fighting.
And for now... that was enough to keep going.
The van rumbled through the deserted road, city lights fading into distant specks behind them. Inside, the air felt heavy with exhaustion and adrenaline, broken only by the occasional directions Logan gave to Henry.
Jean sat close to Logan, her cheek pressed to his shoulder, drawing quiet strength from the steady rise and fall of his chest. Logan kept an arm around her, thumb brushing soft circles over her arm. He leaned down, kissing her forehead gently — a silent promise that they’d be safe, that he was still here.
Henry drove, knuckles tight on the wheel, but his eyes kept flickering back to Emma, who lay resting against Hannah. Hannah herself, pale but resolute, kept checking Emma’s breathing, her gaze softening every ti Emma stirred.
Finally, Logan pointed ahead.
"That building — pull into the drive."
Henry guided the van through a high iron gate and up a winding driveway lined with trimd hedges. The penthouse stood quietly elegant, stone and glass catching the moonlight. At the entrance, a brass plaque glinted under the porch light, and everyone’s eyes fell on the words engraved on it:
"Hannah Kingsley."
Hannah blinked, surprised, and turned sharply to Logan.
"Logan... why does it say my na?"
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