I reached the passenger side of the silver SUV.

I pulled the door open and helped Alexander slide into the leather seat.

He fell back against the headrest, his eyes closing immediately.

His breathing was fast and shallow.

I ran around to the driver’s side and climbed in.

The interior of the car smelled of expensive leather and lavender.

Victoria was already at the passenger window, her face pale.

“Take the highway north,” Victoria said quickly.

“My father has eyes on the city exits, but he doesn’t watch the secondary roads.”

“Where are you going?” I asked, my hands gripping the steering wheel.

“Somewhere they won’t look,” I said.

I thought of the small wooden cabin in the woods of Maine.

It belonged to my late grandfather.

It was registered under a name that had nothing to do with the Donovan family.

It was remote, isolated, and completely off the grid.

“Go,” Victoria said, tapping the glass.

“I’ll hold him off as long as I can.”

“Thank you,” I said.

She nodded once, her expression hardening as she turned back toward Julian.