Chapter 146

• “Come on, don’t play coy. Everyone’s counting on you to keep things moving smoothly,” Lucas laughed, but the laughter faded as Damien remained silent. Clarity began to dawn as he sensed the weight of Lucas’s words—it felt heavy and foreboding, like a storm gathering just beyond the horizon.
• “Look, I need to call Esther,” Damien finally said, abruptly ending the call. His mind raced. He’d made promises to himself, to Charlotte, and to their newfound future together. He could no longer ignore the path laid before him. He needed to protect his family.
• Back in the van, Charlotte was doing her best to assess the situation. She could see the faces of the men who had taken them, but she couldn’t identify them—oily, shadowy figures that presented a challenge she felt ill-equipped to handle. One of them turned to her, his expression unreadable as he spoke.