I walked over to him, grabbing his hands. They were warm, but his grip was tense.

“It is too dangerous,” I pleaded. “If he searches you, he will kill you.”

“I have to end this, Maya,” Adrian said, his grey eyes locking onto mine.

“If I don’t, Salvatore will hunt us forever.”

“Our children will grow up in safe houses, looking over their shoulders.”

“I won’t let that be their life.”

Isabella stood up from her chair, her face grave.

“The van is prepped,” she said to Adrian. “The federal agents are already in position two blocks from the estate.”

“They are waiting for your signal.”

Adrian nodded. He turned back to me, leaning down to press his forehead against mine.

“Stay here with the children,” he whispered.

“Keep the door locked.”

“I love you, Maya.”

“I love you too,” I said, tears blurring my vision. “Come back to us.”

He gave me one brief, hard kiss, then turned and walked out the steel door.

The heavy lock clicked back into place behind him.

The silence in the safe house was deafening.