Rediscovering Odette のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 41 - チャプター 50

The night stretched endlessly, the stillness of the lake interrupted only by the faint rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of crickets. Odette leaned into the warmth of Anton’s jacket draped around her shoulders, its faint scent grounding her in the moment. The dock creaked softly beneath their weight as they sat side by side, legs dangling above the water. For the first time in years, the silence between them wasn’t heavy or strained. It was easy, almost comforting. Odette hadn’t realized how much she’d missed sharing moments like this with someone who truly knew her—or at least had once. “This place reminds me of the summers we spent at my family’s estate,” Anton murmured, breaking the silence. His voice was soft, thoughtful. “Remember the tire swing by the pond? You always dared me to jump, and every time I’d miss the water and end up covered in mud.” Odette laughed, a sound so genuine it startled even her. “You were hopeless at aiming. But you never stopped trying.”

The cabin, once a sanctuary, now felt like a prison. Odette couldn’t shake the unease that had settled over her since Anton got a call from Sokolov. The air felt thicker, the shadows darker, and even the crackle of the fire seemed too loud in the suffocating silence. She sat curled up on the couch, her mind racing. No matter how many reassurances Anton gave, the looming danger felt too real. She wanted to believe him, to trust that he could protect her, but doubt lingered. After all, Sokolov wasn’t some petty criminal—he was a mastermind, someone who thrived on chaos and destruction. Anton paced near the window, his phone in hand as he texted Damien. His silver-gray eyes were sharp, scanning the tree line outside as though expecting an ambush. He hadn’t spoken much since their earlier conversation, his focus entirely on strategizing. “Anton,” Odette called softly, breaking the silence. He turned to her, his expression softening. “Yes, love?” She hesitated, unsure how to voice th

The safehouse Anton had arranged was a modest, secluded cabin nestled deep within the woods. Snow clung to its roof like a fragile blanket, the surrounding trees acting as sentinels in the night. The ride there had been silent, tension coiled tightly in the air between them. Odette stepped out of the SUV, shivering as the icy wind cut through her jacket. Anton walked ahead, his tall frame exuding authority as he inspected the perimeter. Despite the illusion of safety, she knew better. The Sokolovs wouldn’t stop until they had what they wanted—or until one of them was dead. Anton unlocked the cabin door, motioning for her to enter first. The interior was warm and rustic, a far cry from the sleek luxury she’d come to associate with him. A small fire crackled in the stone hearth, casting flickering shadows across the wooden walls. “Stay inside while I secure the area,” Anton instructed, his tone brooking no argument. Odette nodded, her throat dry. As he stepped back into the cold ni

The convoy of vehicles sped through the dense forest, headlights slicing through the darkness. Odette sat in the backseat of Damien’s armored SUV, her hands trembling slightly as she gripped the seatbelt. Anton sat beside her, his hand resting protectively on her knee, grounding her in the midst of the chaos. “Where are we going?” she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Damien glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “To a safe house. It’s off the grid and well-secured. The Sokolovs won’t find us there—at least not easily.” Anton’s jaw was set, his eyes staring out the window as if expecting another ambush at any moment. “We’ll regroup there and figure out our next move. This was just the beginning.” Odette’s stomach twisted. The thought of more violence, more danger, was almost too much to bear. But she refused to let her fear consume her. Not now. “What if they follow us again?” she asked, her mismatched eyes locking with Anton’s. “They won’t,” he said firmly.

The safe house sat on the edge of a dense forest, a fortress of stone and steel that still managed to feel fragile under the weight of their pursuers. The atmosphere inside was uneasy, with Odette pacing the length of the living room while Anton stood by the window, his silver-grey eyes scanning the tree line.The air was thick with unspoken words, but neither of them dared break the silence. Anton’s phone buzzed on the table, its sharp tone slicing through the quiet like a blade.Odette froze mid-step, her heart pounding. “Who is it?”Anton grabbed the phone, his expression darkening as he read the message. “It’s Damien. He intercepted chatter from the Sokolovs.”Her stomach dropped. “What did they say?”“They know where we are,” Anton replied grimly, his voice low but laced with urgency.Odette’s blood ran cold. “How? I thought this place was supposed to be safe.”“It was,” Anton said, his jaw tightening. “But nothing is impenetrable. They must’ve tracked one of the decoys we sent o