Sara's mind was running like a train in the darkness, with Ethan's words sinking rudely into her consciousness. Photos of her and Noah? What did Marcus want with them? Had he been watching them all this time, just waiting for the right moment to strike?She MD-EYED at Ethan, the urgency in his expression making her heart pound. "What does he want with the photos? Why would he keep them?"Ethan drew up tightly as he clenched his fists and set his hard jaw in determination. "This isn't just about revenge. If he's been watching you this closely, then he's cooking up something far bigger. We need to figure out what he's after."Sara's eyes went toward the window, fear creeping slowly back into her. "I don't even know how to fight this. I thought I had left him behind. But now, it feels like everything I've done has been in vain."Ethan stepped closer and took her hand in his. "You don't have to fight him alone anymore. I won't let him hurt you, Sara. Whatever it takes."She swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "I've been on my own for so long. I don't know how to trust anyone, especially not after all that's happened.""And you can trust me, this much I say," was all the response Ethan gave as he softened his eyes with understanding. "I know. But I promise; I'm not going anywhere. You and Noah are my priority now. We'll figure this out together."She faced him, her heart caught between fear and something deeper. For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself the thought that maybe safety-and love-was possible."But the shadows of those threats loomed large in her mind, and Sara knew nothing would really ever feel safe until he was safely gone.---A meeting was hastily called by ethan with his security team, in the main room of the safe house. Sara was glued in the corner quietly listening to everything. The guys are really efficient at work, but for Sara, something doesn't seem quite right since the web of Marcus was tightening and she was trapped at the center of it.Ethan explained the moves intended for gathering more information about the movements of Marcus, but just when he was going to have that critical meeting, another message he had been waiting came through on his phone. His face turned dark as he read the message."What's going on?" Sara asked almost whispering."Marcus," Ethan grimly stated. "He wants a meeting. Face-to-face."Sara's heart skipped a beat. "What does he want to discuss?"Ethan's grip tightened around the device. "I have no idea, but I don't trust him for a second. We'll set it up as a trap."Sara shook her head as panic stirred inside her throat. "No, Ethan. You can't just walk into this. He's far too dangerous. He wants something—something that could destroy us."Though the expression on his face softened, the determination in him did not waver. "We don't have a choice. He's already on the move. If we just wait, he will keep pulling the strings."She opened her mouth to say something, but then suddenly shushed herself. He was right. If they didn't confront Marcus about things now, they would be forever trapped in his game."Where?" she inquired quietly, her voice steady in spite of the oppressive dread building up in her chest.Ethan hesitated and finally provided the coordinates of a derelict warehouse out on the edges of the city. "I'll take a team with me, and we will be prepared for anything."Sara nodded, her thoughts already racing. "And what about Noah?""I'll have him moved to a safe house. I don't want him anywhere near this." Ethan's eyes softened at that, but his focus remained sharp. "You stay here with him. I'll handle Marcus."Sara suddenly stood, her voice urgent. "No, I'm going with you. This is my fight as well."Ethan's eyes fused with a frosty glow of anger and concern. "Sara, you're not-""No," she interrupted, her voice firm. "I'll not sit here while you put yourself at danger. I'll do whatever it takes to protect Noah and you."Ethan's expression was softened, but the heaviness of the situation was obvious. "I'll allow you to come with me, but you will hang back. No more risk taking."Sara swallowed the fear and nodded. Not this time would she give in. Not now.They were going to the warehouse that evening, the clouds darkening in a way that caused shadows to creep and seem to know the dark thoughts inside Sara's head. Ethan had a hand on her back as they moved toward the entrance, his body taut with readiness. He had already instructed his men to position themselves all around the perimeter; but Marcus always had an uncanny way of slipping cracks.The door creaked open slowly, and they entered with the air thick and musty. The warehouse was cavernous, with overhead bulbs flashing occasionally. In between the room stood a lone figure: Marcus.He leaned onto a steel beam, his face shadowed. As they approached him, his lips twisted into a smile."Sara, Ethan - how nice of you to finally join me," Marcus drawled, mocking in tone. "Really, I'm glad you took my invitation seriously."Ethan narrowed his eyes but remained silent.Sara's heart pounded furiously within her as she tried to retain her composure. "What do you want, Marcus? What are you trying to do?"Marcus walked carefully to her, examining her face. "Simple really. I want what's mine."By his side, Ethan's hand moved tensely, ready to respond to anything. "You won't get anything from us. You're no part of this life anymore."Marcus ignored him, eyes still pegged on Sara. "Oh, but I am. You see, the fire wasn't only about me losing everything; it was about you, Sara. You were mine to control. And now that you've found someone else, someone new, I cannot let that happen."Sara stepped back. Her spine crawled with fear. "You're insane."Marcus smiled, but it was a cold and cruel one. "Maybe. But insanity has a winning streak, doesn't it?"Then, out of nowhere, a moving figure stood right behind him. In short, another person has just left the shadows. It was a woman.Sara's heart skipped a beat. Though the face wasn't entirely visible, part of it was, and it had a disorienting resemblance to something she already knew.The woman smirked as her eyes caught Sara's. "Hello, Sara. It has been such a long time."---To Be Continued...