The gun was raised.
Nolan didn't move.
Didn't flinch.
Didn't blink.
He stood there, hands open at his sides, jaw clenched, eyes locked on Isabella's mother as she trembled in the grip of two men.
Her face was bruised.
Her lip was split.
But she was alive.
That was all that mattered.
"Let her go," Nolan said.
Marcus smiled faintly. "You don't sound desperate."
Nolan's eyes burned. "You want me. You've got me."
Marcus stepped closer, circling him slowly.
"You always were arrogant," Marcus said. "Even when you had nothing."
Nolan didn't respond.
"You think love makes you strong," Marcus continued. "It doesn't."
Nolan's voice was steady. "It makes me dangerous."
Marcus laughed softly. "No. It makes you predictable."
He nodded once.
The gun cocked.
Isabella's mother sobbed.
Nolan's heart slammed painfully against his ribs.
"Stop," he said quietly.
Marcus tilted his head. "Beg."
Nolan stared at him.
Then—
He dropped to his knees.
Marcus blinked.
So did the men holding Isabella's mother.
Nolan's knees hit the concrete with a dull thud.
He lowered his head.
The night air went silent.
"I'll do anything," Nolan said.
Marcus's smile widened slowly.
"That's more like it."
Nolan lifted his gaze.
"But she walks free," Nolan said. "Now."
Marcus studied him.
"You don't get to negotiate."
Nolan's voice dropped. "You came for me. Not her."
Marcus leaned in. "We came to break you."
Nolan met his eyes. "Then finish the job."
Marcus paused.
Then he nodded.
He gestured.
The men loosened their grip on Isabella's mother.
She stumbled forward.
Nolan's breath hitched.
"Run," he whispered.
She hesitated.
"Now!" he barked.
She turned and ran.
Marcus didn't stop her.
He was watching Nolan.
The second she disappeared into the darkness—
Marcus kicked Nolan in the ribs.
Hard.
Nolan grunted but didn't fall.
Marcus knelt, gripping Nolan's chin.
"You're not brave," Marcus said softly. "You're owned."
Nolan's teeth were stained with blood.
He smiled.
"Not anymore."
Marcus straightened. "Tie him."
Isabella woke with a scream.
She bolted upright, heart racing.
Juan whimpered beside her.
"Mommy?" he whispered.
She pulled him into her arms instantly.
"I'm here," she said, shaking.
Her phone was buzzing.
She grabbed it.
Nathan.
"Where is he?" she demanded.
Nathan's voice was tight. "We're tracking."
"You let him go alone," she sobbed.
"He didn't," Nathan replied. "He just didn't want you to know."
Her breath hitched. "What does that mean?"
"It means I'm already inside."
Nolan was thrown to the ground.
Hands bound.
Blood running down his face.
Marcus crouched in front of him.
"You traded yourself," Marcus said. "That was expected."
Nolan spat blood.
"You didn't expect her to walk away," he said.
Marcus smiled faintly. "I let her."
Nolan stiffened.
"She's more useful alive," Marcus continued. "Fear travels farther that way."
Nolan's jaw tightened.
"You'll never touch her again," he growled.
Marcus laughed.
"Oh, Nolan," he said. "I already have."
Nolan surged forward.
They struck him again.
Hard.
Stars exploded in his vision.
Marcus stood.
"Bring him inside."
Nathan was in the rafters.
Silent.
Watching.
Waiting.
Every instinct in him was screaming.
He had a clear shot.
One bullet.
He could end Marcus right now.
But if he did—
Nolan died.
Isabella's mother would never make it out.
And they would scatter.
He lowered the gun.
And waited.
Inside, Nolan was tied to a metal chair.
Marcus paced in front of him.
"You know what fascinates me?" Marcus said. "You don't ask about her."
Nolan lifted his head.
"I already saved her," he said.
Marcus tilted his head. "You think that's the end?"
Nolan said nothing.
"Let me show you something," Marcus said.
He snapped his fingers.
A screen turned on.
Isabella appeared.
Standing in the safe house.
Panic on her face.
Nolan's heart stopped.
"What did you do?" he snarled.
Marcus smiled.
"We didn't touch her," he said. "Yet."
Nolan strained against the restraints.
"If you go near her—"
"She came looking for you," Marcus interrupted.
Nolan froze.
"She left the safe house," Marcus continued. "She's very bad at staying still."
Nolan's chest tightened painfully.
"She thinks you're dead," Marcus added.
Nolan's breath left him.
Marcus leaned in.
"Now," he said softly, "you're going to watch."
Isabella ran.
She didn't know where she was going.
She didn't care.
Nathan had said don't move.
She hadn't listened.
She felt it in her bones.
Something was wrong.
She could feel Nolan slipping away from her.
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
"Nolan?" she whispered.
Marcus's voice came through instead.
Her blood turned to ice.
"You should've stayed," he said.
Her knees gave out.
"Where is he?" she demanded.
"He's safe," Marcus said.
She laughed hysterically. "You're a liar."
He chuckled. "You want to see him?"
Her breath hitched.
A video appeared.
Nolan.
Bleeding.
Bound.
Barely conscious.
She screamed.
"Nolan!"
His head lifted slightly.
He saw her.
His lips moved.
Don't.
She sobbed. "What did you do to him?!"
Marcus's voice was calm.
"Now we make the real trade," he said.
Her chest heaved.
"What trade?" she whispered.
"You," he said.
Silence crashed down.
"You come," Marcus continued. "Alone."
Her heart pounded violently.
"And if I don't?" she whispered.
Marcus's tone hardened.
"He dies."
She screamed.
Nolan shook violently.
"No!" he roared. "Don't you dare!"
Marcus smiled.
"She already said yes," he said.
Nolan's heart shattered.
Isabella was shaking.
"I'll come," she whispered.
Marcus smiled. "Good girl."
Her voice cracked. "Don't hurt him."
"Oh, I will," Marcus said lightly. "Just not fatally."
She screamed.
The line went dead.
Nolan thrashed.
"Let me go!" he roared.
Marcus leaned close.
"This," he whispered, "is what love looks like when it loses."
Isabella kissed Juan's forehead.
He was asleep.
Peaceful.
Unaware.
She whispered, "I love you."
She left a note.
Then she walked out.
Alone.
And as she stepped into the night, her phone vibrated.
A final message from Marcus:
Now you'll learn what he learned.
What it feels like to be helpless.