The warm air from the heater hit me like a physical wall.

Luca was behind the wheel, his face illuminated by the green glow of the dashboard.

“We need to move, Boss,” he said.

“Two more sirens just turned onto the main avenue.”

“They are coming from the north precinct.”

I climbed into the seat, my joints aching from the cold.

Isabella slid into the back, pulling the sliding door shut behind her.

“Where to?” Luca asked, shifting the van into gear.

I looked out the side window.

Through the falling snow, I could see the flashing lights of the emergency vehicles.

They were swarming the harbor like a nest of angry hornets.

But beyond them, the rest of the city was dark and silent.

The tall towers of the loop were nearly invisible in the storm.

“The south side warehouse,” I said.

“We need to pack the bags.”

“We are going to be gone before the sun comes up.”

Luca nodded and let off the brake.

The van rolled forward, its tires quiet on the unplowed road.