MasukThey worked through the night. Agent Hayes arrived with a team of federal agents, but by the time they got there, Diego and his men were long gone. Maria was taken into protective custody, but she’d already received a text message – a photo of her sister, bound and gagged in a room with no windows. The message read: Twelve hours.The shelter’s security systems showed that Diego’s men had already been inside, copying files from every computer. By dawn, every survivor they’d helped had received a message, leave town, or face the consequences. By noon, eight of the twelve residents had vanished, leaving only the ones too sick and weak to move.Isabella called to say her landlord had already signed the building over to Diego’s associate. When she’d tried to remove the books – many of them donated by survivors, she’d found they’d all been destroyed, their pages soaked in gasoline and left to rot on the floor.“They knew exactly which ones to target,” she said, her voice breaking over the
The applause was replaced by hum of conversation as neighbors and friends gathered around tables laden with baked goods and donation jars. Isabella moved through the crowd with her usual grace, her bookstore now changed to Hope's Habor feels more like home than a business to everyone who stepped through its doors. Cassia stepped down from the small stage, and tucked her violin into its case.“Momma!” Elena’s tiny voice cut through the noise, and Cassia turned to see her daughter reaching for her from Lucian’s arms. At one and half years old, Elena had inherited her father’s dark hair and her mother’s amber eyes. Cassia swept her up, pressing kisses to her soft cheeks as Lucian smile at her lovingly.“Another incredible performance,” he said. “You had everyone spellbound.”“Just trying to make sure we can keep the shelter running,” Cassia replied, leaning into him. The shelter,1£ had been their life’s work for the past year, a place where survivors of trafficking could find safety, an
Back at the safe house, Cassia received a call from Agent Hayes later that night. “He’s in,” she said, her voice relieved. “Reyes is running background checks, but everything we planted is holding up. He’ll likely bring Lucian in on the next phase of the operation within the next few days.”“Is he okay?” Cassia asked.“He’s fine. We’re monitoring him closely, and we’ll pull him out the second there’s any sign of danger.”Over the next week, Cassia tried to keep busy. She helped her mother cook and clean, she walked along the lake shore every morning, and she practiced her violin until her fingers ached. But every time the phone rang, her heart leaped, hoping it was Lucian.On the eighth day, he finally called. His face appeared on the screen, tired but determined.“Hey,” he said, a small smile on his lips. “How are you?”“We’re okay,” Cassia said, tears springing to her eyes. “The baby’s been kicking a lot, I think she knows her dad’s out there fighting for us.”“I miss you both so m
The wolf’s cry faded into the wind, leaving only the crackle of the wood stove and the heavy beat of hearts filling the cabin. Agent Hayes pulled out a folded map and spread it across the rough-edge table.“We’ll move at first light,” she said, her voice crisp and focused. “A helicopter will meet us at a clearing ten miles from here and take Lucian to a safe house outside Chicago where we’ll finalize his cover. Cassia and your mother will be transported separately, to a secure location in northern California. We’ve already planned with trusted authorities no one will know you’re there but us.”Cassia shook her head, moving to stand beside Lucian. “I’m not leaving without him,” she said, her hand resting on her belly. “If he’s going into danger, I want to be as close as I can get. I won’t spend my days wondering if he’s okay.”Agent Hayes hesitated, then glanced at Marcus, who gave a small nod. “There’s a federal safe house in Milwaukee,” she conceded. “It’s not so far, and we can get
“Hello, Cassia,” Elena said, her voice cold as ice. “I’ve been looking for you.” “Elena,” Cassia said, her voice steady despite the beating of her heart that felt like it might burst through her ribs. The evening air raised goosebumps on her skin, and she instinctively placed a hand over her belly.“You don’t have to do this, There’s still a chance to start over.”Elena took a step forward, her boots crushing the soft petals of the white roses Lucian had planted earlier. Her eyes blazed with fury, dark and wild. "I don't have to do this? Do you have any idea what you took from me? Lucian was mine first we met firsty and working side by side to build something we thought would give us power, security, a future. We were supposed to build a life together.” She laughed, but there was no warmth in it. “And then you showed up, with your violin and your innocent act, and stole everything from me. You didn’t just take him, you took the life I’d dreamed of for years.”“He chose me because
Lucian came to stand beside her as she finished playing, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing a kiss to her neck. “I love you,” he whispered. “More than anything in this world.” “I love you too,” she replied, turning in his arms to look up at him. “Now and always.” As the last notes of her violin faded, Cassia rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Her mother stood from the porch chair, wiping tears of joy from her eyes as she walked toward them.“That was beautiful, sweetheart,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion. “Your grandmother used to play that same piece when she was happy. She’d say music was the language of our hearts.” Cassia smiled, setting her violin carefully in its case. “I play it when I need to feel close to her. And lately… when I want to talk to the baby."Lucian brushed his fingers through her hair. “They’ll be lucky to have a mother like you.” Inside, Lucian had laid out a simple dinner of roasted chicken an
Lucien’s POV “Everything that happened with Miguel is under control, Maximo, so either drink like you were called to or see yourself out,” my voice was sharper than intended, but it was what it was and I didn't regret it.“No hard feelings, kid. I'm just making sure you're well aware of what's com
Cassie's POV He left without saying another as if expecting me to follow his command this time. It wasn't like I had multiple choice in times like this though and I hated it. I sighed, resting my head back on my arm while trying to quiet the storm in my heart.In no time, Mirian walked in with a c
Cassie's POV What have I done?! My eyes went wild with the deafening silence and the other women looking at me as though I had lost it completely… I guess I had. “I'm so so so so—” The door swung up before I could complete the word, revealing Lucien. I quickly turned away,swallowing hard. Why
Cassie's POV Before I could make another move, he lunged at me, shoving the knife I was holding to the floor.“I am not setting you up Cassie! I am trying to protect you!” He raised his voice at me, shaking me as though there were visible blocks that prevented his words from sinking into my head.







