Beatrice would face the justice she had avoided for a decade.

And Liam and I would finally be able to build a life that wasn’t overshadowed by the smoke of my past.

But first, we had to find Chloe.

A sudden crash from upstairs made us all jump.

It sounded like a heavy wooden chair being thrown against a wall.

Then, a muffled scream cut through the ceiling.

“Chloe!” Beatrice shrieked.

“Stay here!” Holt commanded, drawing her weapon fully.

She moved toward the stairwell, her movements fluid and cautious.

“I’m coming with you,” Liam said.

“No, Vance, it’s too dangerous,” Holt said without looking back.

“She is my wife’s cousin,” Liam said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “And Darrow knows who I am. If he sees me, he might talk.”

Holt paused at the base of the stairs, then nodded once. “Stay behind me. Audrey, you and Mrs. Langford stay with Officer Davis.”

The second officer stepped forward, placing himself between us and the dark hallway.

“Be careful, Liam,” I whispered.

He looked back at me, his eyes conveying a promise he had kept every day since we met.