The photo of Juan shattered Isabella.
Not because he was hurt.
But because he wasn't.
He was asleep.
Peaceful.
Unaware.
And that meant one thing.
Marcus had let him be safe—on purpose.
Isabella's hands shook violently.
"He's alive," she whispered.
Nolan's jaw clenched. "He wants us to know he could change that."
Her chest tightened.
"That's not a warning," Nathan said quietly. "That's a challenge."
They didn't go back to the safe house.
They didn't go anywhere predictable.
Nathan took them off-grid.
Old military cabins deep in the forest.
No cell towers.
No addresses.
No digital trail.
Isabella sat beside Juan as he slept, watching his chest rise and fall.
She didn't blink.
Didn't move.
Didn't breathe properly.
Nolan knelt in front of her.
"He's safe," he said.
She nodded.
But didn't believe it.
"Marcus doesn't want him dead," she whispered. "Not yet."
Nolan's eyes darkened. "He wants us to suffer first."
She swallowed.
"He said I was the leash," she whispered.
Nolan took her face in his hands.
"You're not a leash," he said. "You're a weapon."
Her breath hitched.
"You just don't know it yet."
Nathan spread out blueprints on the table.
"This is what he wants," he said.
Isabella looked up. "What?"
"A hunt," Nathan replied. "Not physically. Psychologically."
Nolan nodded slowly. "He wants control. He wants fear. He wants to watch us make mistakes."
Isabella's voice shook. "I can't live like this."
"You won't," Nolan said.
She looked at him.
"We end him," he continued.
Her heart slammed.
"Kill him?" she whispered.
Nathan answered. "Yes."
Silence fell.
Juan stirred in his sleep.
Isabella's heart shattered.
"I don't want blood on my son's future," she said.
Nolan knelt.
"You won't," he whispered. "I'll carry it."
She sobbed.
Marcus sat in a private room miles away.
Drinking wine.
Smiling.
He watched the video feed.
Isabella in the cabin.
Nolan pacing.
Nathan planning.
"They're adapting," one of his men said.
Marcus chuckled.
"That's good," he replied. "The smarter the prey, the better the game."
He turned to another screen.
Juan.
Sleeping.
Safe.
He smiled.
"She doesn't understand yet," Marcus said. "I'm not after the boy."
His man frowned. "Then why show him?"
Marcus leaned back.
"Because love is louder than pain," he replied. "And I intend to make her scream."
Isabella woke from a nightmare screaming Nolan's name.
He was already holding her.
"I'm here," he whispered. "I've got you."
She sobbed into him.
"I can't do this again," she whispered. "I can't watch you die."
He pressed his lips to her hair.
"You won't," he said.
She pulled back, eyes wild.
"They're always one step ahead."
Nolan's gaze hardened.
"Not anymore."
She frowned. "What does that mean?"
He looked at Nathan.
Nathan nodded.
Isabella's stomach dropped.
"What?" she whispered.
"We stop reacting," Nolan said. "We bait him."
Her heart slammed.
"You want to use me?" she whispered.
"No," Nolan said. "We use what he thinks you are."
Her voice trembled. "A leash."
Nolan shook his head.
"No," he said. "His obsession."
Marcus's phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
He answered.
"Hello?"
Nolan's voice came through.
Marcus smiled.
"Well," he said. "You found your voice."
"You wanted a game," Nolan said calmly. "I'm done running."
Marcus leaned forward.
"Oh?"
"Meet me," Nolan continued. "Alone."
Isabella's heart stopped.
She lunged for the phone.
"No—!"
Nolan raised a hand.
Marcus laughed softly.
"You're learning," he said.
Nolan's tone was cold. "You said you wanted me. Not them."
Marcus hummed. "True."
"Then take me," Nolan said.
Isabella screamed.
"I'll come," Nolan added.
Marcus's eyes gleamed.
"And the woman?" Marcus asked.
Nolan's voice dropped. "You don't touch her again."
Marcus chuckled.
"Then bring her too."
Silence.
Nolan's jaw tightened.
"No," he said.
Marcus laughed.
"You still think you get to choose."
The line went dead.
Isabella stared at Nolan.
"You just offered yourself," she whispered.
He didn't deny it.
"I offered him the illusion of control," he said.
She shook. "And if he kills you?"
"He won't," Nathan said.
"Why?" she demanded.
"Because he wants to own you," Nathan replied.
Nolan nodded.
"And dead men don't suffer."
Her chest burned.
"I won't let you do this," she said.
Nolan cupped her face.
"You already did," he whispered. "You walked into hell for me."
She sobbed.
"And now I burn it down for you."
They staged it.
Carefully.
Publicly.
Nolan returned to the city.
On camera.
On purpose.
Isabella stayed hidden.
Everyone talked.
Everyone watched.
Marcus smiled.
That night, Isabella stood at the cabin window.
Nolan had left.
Again.
Her chest felt hollow.
She pressed her hand to the glass.
"Don't die," she whispered.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
She froze.
She answered.
Marcus's voice.
"I told you not to run," he said softly.
Her blood went cold.
"What do you want?" she whispered.
"I want to meet," he replied.
Her heart pounded violently.
"No," she said.
He chuckled.
"You don't get to say no," he replied. "You never have."
Her voice trembled. "If you touch him—"
"I won't," Marcus said. "Not tonight."
She closed her eyes.
"What do you want?" she whispered.
"To talk," he said.
She laughed hysterically.
"You tortured us," she cried.
"And yet you still answer," Marcus replied.
Silence.
"Come," he said.
She swallowed.
"I won't," she whispered.
He sighed.
"Then I will," he replied.
The line went dead.
Outside the cabin—
A twig snapped.
Isabella froze.
Her heart slammed violently.
She turned slowly.
The door was unlocked.
She whispered, "Nolan…"
And the lights went out.