I looked back at my phone.

The photo of the well house was still on the screen.

The figure with the rifle was a shadow.

But I recognized the coat.

It was a long, dark wool coat I had seen before.

My phone buzzed again.

Another text from the same number.

*He has sniper teams at the main gate and the western tree line.*

*Do not sign.*

*I am clearing the eastern path.*

I stared at the message.

Could I trust this person?

Did I have a choice?

I walked to the heavy steel vault door and listened.

The hallway outside was quiet.

If I went up to the study to sign the papers, I would be walking into Caleb’s trap.

But if I didn’t, Marcus would die.

“Adrian,” Clara called out.

Her voice was barely a whisper.

I went to her side and took her thin hand.

Her skin was cold and dry like paper.

“Don’t trust him,” she said.

“He kept me in the dark for years.”

“He wants everything you built.”

“If you give it to him, he will kill us anyway.”