Mark's mind raced as he and Daniel left the warehouse. The cold night air felt heavier now, thick with the weight of what they had just discussed.
"This is bigger than I thought," Mark muttered.
Daniel shot him a look. "Yeah. And it's only going to get worse if Sophie catches wind of what we're doing."
Mark exhaled sharply. He knew that. He had always known Sophie wouldn't just let him walk away. That was why he had planned his exit so carefully. But now, with Daniel in the mix, everything felt more real.
They walked in silence toward Mark's apartment. It wasn't far—just a few blocks away—but every step felt like the air was pressing down on him.
When they turned the last corner, Mark's stomach twisted.
Alex and Liam were waiting outside his building.
Daniel saw them at the same time. He didn't stop walking, didn't hesitate. "Keep moving," he muttered under his breath.
Mark's pulse pounded. Alex was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, while Liam paced nearby, clearly impatient. They hadn't spotted him yet.
"We can't just run," Mark whispered.
Daniel smirked slightly. "Watch me."
He grabbed Mark's sleeve and pulled him into the nearest alleyway. They moved quickly, slipping through the narrow passage between buildings.
Behind them, a voice rang out.
"Mark."
He froze. Alex had seen him.
Liam's footsteps pounded against the pavement. "You really thought you could just disappear?"
Daniel didn't waste a second. He grabbed a metal trash can and shoved it over, sending it crashing into the alleyway behind them. It wasn't much, but it was enough to slow Liam down.
"Move!" Daniel snapped.
Mark didn't hesitate. He sprinted after Daniel, weaving through the alleyways. He could hear Alex and Liam cursing behind them, their footsteps quick but not as precise.
They reached the other side of the block and bolted into the street. Mark's apartment was out of the question now. He knew what Alex and Liam wanted—to drag him back to Sophie, to force him into a choice that wasn't a choice at all.
Daniel slowed as they reached a crowded sidewalk. He scanned their surroundings, thinking fast.
"We can't stay on the streets," Daniel said. "We'll go to my sister's place. No one knows about it. She'll cover for us."
Mark hesitated. "Your sister?"
"She won't ask questions. And my girlfriend's staying with her right now. Two extra sets of eyes watching our backs."
Mark clenched his jaw. It wasn't a perfect plan, but it was better than running blind.
"Fine. Let's go."
Daniel nodded. "Stay close."
Without looking back, they slipped into the crowd, heading toward the only safe place they had left.
Twenty Minutes Later
Mark followed Daniel through the dimly lit streets, his pulse still racing from their escape. The tension in his body hadn't eased, not even after they had put enough distance between them and Alex. His instincts screamed that they weren't safe yet.
Daniel, on the other hand, walked like they had just come back from a casual night out. The cocky ease in his stride annoyed Mark, but he held his tongue. They needed a place to lay low, and right now, Daniel was the only one with a plan.
Finally, they reached a small apartment complex on the east side of town. Daniel jogged up the stairs, knocked twice on a door, then leaned against the frame as they waited.
A moment later, the door swung open, revealing a young woman with dark curls and tired eyes. She blinked in surprise.
"Daniel?"
"Hey, sis," Daniel said, flashing a grin. "Miss me?"
The woman—Daniel's sister—sighed, rubbing her temple. "What do you want?"
Before Daniel could answer, another figure appeared behind her. A girl with sharp eyes and a teasing smirk—his girlfriend.
"Daniel," she drawled, crossing her arms. "You're late."
Mark expected Daniel to keep things serious. They were on the run, after all. But instead, his so-called reliable partner leaned against the doorframe and smirked.
"Couldn't stay away from two of the most beautiful women I know," he said smoothly.
Mark closed his eyes for a second. Are you kidding me?
Daniel's sister groaned. "You're unbelievable."
His girlfriend just rolled her eyes. "You're lucky I like you, idiot."
Mark felt a headache creeping in. They were being hunted, and here Daniel was, flirting like they were at some bar. He should've known better than to trust him with something this serious.
"Can we come in?" Mark snapped, frustration seeping into his voice.
Daniel's sister hesitated but stepped aside. "Fine. But you better start explaining what kind of mess you've dragged in this time."
Daniel winked at his girlfriend as he stepped inside. "Oh, it's a long story, babe. You'll love it."
Mark followed, already regretting every decision that had led him here.
Inside the Apartment
Mark stepped in, his shoulders tense. The apartment was small but cozy, the scent of coffee lingering in the air. A couch sat against one wall, a few blankets tossed over it, and a tiny kitchen was visible past the living room.
Daniel flopped onto the couch like he owned the place, stretching his arms behind his head. His girlfriend sat beside him, raising an eyebrow. His sister, meanwhile, stood with her arms crossed, waiting for an explanation.
Mark didn't waste time. "We're in trouble."
Daniel's sister scoffed. "Of course you are. It's you."
Daniel grinned. "C'mon, Liz. You wound me."
Liz shot him a glare. "Shut up." She turned to Mark. "What did he do this time?"
Mark hesitated. How much could he say? He wasn't sure how deep Daniel's sister or his girlfriend were in this mess—or if they even knew about Sophie. But keeping them in the dark wouldn't help.
"We ran into some guys tonight," Mark said carefully. "They're working for someone we don't want to cross."
Liz's expression darkened. "Sophie?"
Mark stiffened. "You know about her?"
Liz scoffed. "Please. You think I don't know what kind of people my brother gets involved with?" She shot Daniel a sharp look. "I told you to stay out of that mess."
Daniel raised his hands innocently. "Technically, I never said I was in it."
Mark clenched his jaw. "They were waiting outside my apartment. We barely got away. We can't stay out in the open."
Liz sighed, rubbing her temples. "So, what, you want to hide here? You think that's safe?"
Daniel's girlfriend, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "If Sophie's people saw you, it won't take long for them to find this place."
Mark nodded. "I know. That's why we can't stay long. Just long enough to figure out our next move."
Daniel's girlfriend gave him a long look. "And what is the next move?"
Mark opened his mouth—but hesitated. What was the next move? He had been running on instinct, but they couldn't run forever. He needed a plan.
Daniel, of course, was no help. He leaned closer to his girlfriend, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You look amazing tonight, by the way," he murmured.
Mark exhaled sharply. "Oh, for—can you focus?"
Daniel smirked. "Multitasking, buddy."
Liz looked seconds away from smacking him.
Mark ran a hand through his hair. "We need a place that Sophie's people won't check. Somewhere off the grid."
Liz frowned. "I might know a place, but it's costly."
Daniel sat up. "Now that sounds interesting."
Liz is talking to Daniel, Mark, and Ana, saying:
"A place that is very costly, where only one person stays—what do you think it is? It's a mansion!"
She pauses, letting them think about it before revealing the answer.
Daniel furrows his brows. "But aren't mansions usually for families or rich people with big staff?"
Mark nods. "Yeah, it doesn't make sense if only one person stays there."
Ana chuckles. "Maybe Liz is talking about a billionaire who lives alone in a huge mansion. Some people do that, you know."
Liz smiles. "Exactly! It's just a fun way to describe it. A big, expensive place, but only one person enjoying all that space."
Daniel laughs. "Well, I wouldn't mind living alone in a mansion!"
Mark smirks. "If you can afford one!"
Ana grins. "Then we better start making some money!"
Mark exhaled, crossing his arms. "Alright, Liz. What's this place you're talking about?"
Liz smirked. "It's a mansion. Right in the middle of the city."
Mark frowned. "A mansion? In the city? And we're just supposed to stay there without any problems?"
Liz shrugged. "We're not squatting, if that's what you're thinking. We're renting it."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Renting? Who the hell rents out rooms in a mansion?"
Ana chuckled. "Rich people get bored. Maybe she just wants company."
Liz nodded. "Pretty much. The owner is a billionaire, and she rents out a few rooms in the mansion just because she can. No interviews, no background checks—if you can pay, you stay. And we can pay."
Mark's eyes narrowed. "You sure about this? What kind of person just lets random people move into their house?"
Liz smirked. "She's eccentric. One of those billionaires who does things just because they seem interesting. She doesn't care who stays as long as you don't bother her."
Daniel grinned. "A billionaire roommate? Sounds fun."
Ana raised an eyebrow. "Or dangerous."
Liz sighed. "Look, she's not the problem here. Sophie's people are. Do you want a safe place or not?"
Mark ran a hand through his hair. "…Fine. How much is the rent?"
Liz grinned. "Already covered for the first month. You're welcome."
Daniel whistled. "Damn, Liz. You really know the right people."
Liz smirked. "I try."
Mark still wasn't sure about this, but they didn't have many options. A billionaire's mansion, a safe place to stay, and no questions asked. It was too good to be true—but at least for now, it was their best shot.
"Alright," he said. "Let's meet our new landlord."
With that, they grabbed their things and headed toward their new home—where a billionaire woman waited, ready to share her mansion with a group of fugitives who needed a place to disappear.