The next morning dawned with a gray sky, a thick layer of clouds hanging ominously overhead, as if even the weather sensed the tension crackling in the air. I stood by the window, looking out at the dense forest that surrounded the safe house. Despite the isolation, I couldn't shake the feeling that Castellano's reach was closer than we realized.
Martha bustled in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for Ava, who was still blissfully unaware of the danger that lurked in the shadows. Her laughter echoed faintly through the hallway, and for a moment, it gave me a sense of peace. But the moment was fleeting. As much as I wanted to shield her from this nightmare, I knew the walls were closing in.
