CHAPTER 16

The gunshot echoed like a thunderclap, reverberating through the still night air. Fiona's heart leaped into her throat as she pressed her hands against the cool glass of the plane's window. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw Darwin still standing, his gun aimed steadily, smoke curling from its barrel. One of the men who had approached him now lay on the ground, motionless.

The second man hesitated, his weapon still drawn but his posture uncertain. Darwin advanced, his movements precise, his voice low and commanding. Fiona couldn’t make out the words, but the other man faltered, lowering his gun slightly.

The engines of the plane roared to life, jolting Fiona from her frozen state. The pilot turned to her, his expression grim.

“We can’t wait much longer,” he said. “If we stay, we’ll be sitting ducks.”

Fiona’s stomach churned with dread. She looked back out the window just in time to see Darwin swing his fist, disarming the second man in a swift, brutal motion. The weapon clattered to the ground, and Darwin didn’t waste a second—he grabbed the man by his collar and slammed him against the car.

She could feel the seconds ticking away like a countdown to disaster.

“Darwin, hurry!” she whispered, her voice cracking with desperation.

---

Darwin knew he was out of time. The moment he saw the headlights approaching, he had calculated every move, every risk. Now, with one attacker incapacitated and the other struggling to stay conscious, he didn’t hesitate. He grabbed the fallen gun and tossed it into the dense foliage, ensuring it couldn’t be used against him.

Dragging the remaining man toward the car, he hissed, “Who sent you? Was it William?”

The man groaned, his head lolling. “You... already know,” he muttered. “You can’t stop him. He’ll destroy you.”

Darwin’s jaw clenched. He had expected as much, but hearing it confirmed only fueled his resolve. He slammed the car door shut, leaving the man locked inside, and turned back toward the plane.

“Let’s go!” he called out, sprinting toward the steps.

Fiona was already at the door, her face pale and drawn. Relief washed over her as Darwin reached the plane, his chest heaving from exertion.

Once inside, the pilot wasted no time. The plane began to taxi down the runway, and Fiona felt the weight of the moment settle over her. They were leaving everything behind—Bay City, the safe house, and the life they had known.

But as the plane lifted into the air, she couldn’t shake the feeling that they weren’t just running from danger. They were running toward an uncertain future, one filled with even greater challenges.

---

The cabin was eerily quiet as they ascended into the night sky. Darwin sat across from Fiona, his hands resting on his knees. She could see the tension in his posture, the unspoken burden he carried.

“What happened back there?” she asked softly.

Darwin looked up, his eyes meeting hers. For a moment, he seemed to consider deflecting the question, but then he sighed. “They were William’s men. They’ve been tailing us since we left the safe house. Bella’s call wasn’t just a threat—it was a distraction to keep us off guard.”

Fiona swallowed hard. “You think Bella’s working directly with William?”

“There’s no doubt in my mind,” Darwin said grimly. “She’s been feeding him information for months, maybe even longer. She wants to see you out of the picture, and she’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.”

Fiona shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. “So what do we do now?”

“We regroup,” Darwin said firmly. “I have contacts who can help us. We’ll gather the evidence we need to take down William and expose Bella for what she really is. But we can’t rush this. One wrong move, and they’ll destroy us.”

Fiona nodded, though the weight of his words settled heavily on her shoulders. She had already lost so much—her career, her sense of safety, and the life she had tried so hard to build. But she couldn’t afford to dwell on that now.

---

Hours passed as the plane carried them farther from Bay City. Fiona dozed fitfully, her dreams filled with fragmented memories and shadowy figures. When she finally awoke, the first rays of dawn were spilling across the horizon, casting the cabin in a soft golden light.

Darwin was still awake, his gaze fixed on the window. He looked older in the morning light, the strain of their situation etched into his features.

“Did you sleep?” Fiona asked, her voice still groggy.

“A little,” he lied.

She didn’t press him. Instead, she leaned back in her seat, staring at the ceiling. “Where are we going?”

Darwin hesitated before answering. “There’s a private estate in Serene City. It belongs to an old friend of mine. We’ll be safe there for a while.”

“Serene City?” Fiona repeated, a faint glimmer of hope flickering in her chest. “I haven’t been there in years.”

“It’s quieter than Bay City,” Darwin said. “Fewer eyes watching, fewer places for William to reach us.”

Fiona nodded, though her mind raced with memories of the serene landscapes and peaceful streets she had once known. For the first time in weeks, she felt a sliver of relief.

---

When they arrived at the estate, Fiona was struck by its beauty. The sprawling property was nestled at the edge of a tranquil lake, surrounded by towering trees that swayed gently in the breeze. The house itself was a masterpiece of modern architecture, with sleek lines and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered breathtaking views.

“It’s beautiful,” Fiona murmured as they stepped inside.

Darwin offered a faint smile. “I thought you’d like it.”

As they settled in, Fiona couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. The estate was a sanctuary, but it was also a reminder of how far they had been forced to run.

That night, as she lay in the unfamiliar bed, Fiona found herself staring at the ceiling once again. Sleep eluded her, her thoughts consumed by the events of the past few days.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were merely playing a game of survival, always one step ahead of danger but never truly safe.

And as the hours stretched on, Fiona realized that their fight was far from over.