The atmosphere inside the stone mansion was oppressive, the kind of silence that made every creak of the floorboards and distant rustle of leaves seem like a warning. Despite the thick walls and remote location, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. Castellano had a way of making you feel exposed, even in your safest places.
Ethan was moving quickly through the house, setting up security cameras and checking the perimeter every hour. His usual calm efficiency was still present, but there was an undercurrent of urgency in his movements, a sense that time was running out faster than we had anticipated.
