“Marcus, do you copy?” he tried again.

Nothing but the scratching.

He set the radio down and looked at me.

“We need to move Leo,” I said, panic finally breaking through my defense.

“He is sleeping upstairs.”

“Marlene is with him,” Damon said, his voice remaining level.

“The house is secure, Nora.”

“The walls are reinforced steel behind the drywall.”

“But we cannot stay hidden in this house forever,” I said.

I gripped the edge of the desk to steady my hands.

“Vance will keep coming.”

“He will find a way through your security.”

Damon walked to the window and parted the heavy velvet curtains a fraction of an inch.

Outside, the snow was falling faster, obscuring the pine trees in a blur of white.

“I know,” Damon said, his eyes scanning the dark driveway.

“That is why we are going to Chicago next week.”

I stared at his back in disbelief.

“Chicago?” I asked.

“That is his territory.”

“That is where he has the most power.”

Damon turned around, his eyes reflecting the pale light of the snow.

“Exactly,” he said.

“He expects us to run.”