Chapter 10

NATHAN

The phone rang at an ungodly hour, jarring me from sleep. My instincts kicked in before my brain fully woke up—I reached for the weapon under my pillow, muscles tensed for a threat.

Then I remembered where I was. Who was beside me.

Carrie groaned softly, shifting under the sheets. I moved quickly, grabbing my phone from the nightstand. The number flashing on the screen made my stomach tighten.

Shit.

I swung my legs off the bed and answered. “Yeah?”

“Where the hell are you?” a sharp voice demanded. Henry. Carrie's father.

I exhaled, my free hand raking through my hair. “In the apartment. Why?”

There was a pause. Then, his voice lowered to something far more dangerous. “There was an attempt on my life tonight.”

The words sent a jolt of adrenaline through my system. My training took over—I was already standing, scanning the room, my mind assessing the situation. “Are you hurt?”

“No,” Henry bit out. “But it was close. Too damn close. And the message was clear. They’re coming for Carrie next.”

My gaze flicked to the bed. Carrie was still curled up, unaware of the storm about to hit her life.

“Details,” I demanded.

“A car bomb outside my office. A warning. They want me to back off, but I won’t. You need to get Carrie out of there—now.”

The air in the room suddenly felt heavier.

“Where do you want me to take her?” I asked.

Henry’s hesitation was brief but telling. “Somewhere no one will expect. No family estates, no hotels. Just… vanish.”

I didn’t like the uncertainty in his voice, but there was no time to question it. “Understood.”

I hung up and turned to Carrie. She was awake now, watching me with a frown.

“What’s wrong?” she murmured, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

I moved fast, grabbing clothes, tossing her whatever she needed. “Get dressed. We’re leaving.”

She sat up, confusion flashing in her eyes. “Nathan—”

“Now, Carrie.” My tone left no room for argument.

She saw it then—the shift in me. The soldier. The protector. Her expression sobered, and without another word, she started moving.

By the time we were out the door, my mind was already ten steps ahead. I had to get her out of here before whoever sent that bomb decided to come knocking.

And something told me this was only the beginning.

I led Carrie down the emergency stairwell, my senses on high alert. Every footstep echoed in the enclosed space, and I hated the vulnerability of being in a tight passage with no immediate exit except down. My Glock was tucked into the waistband of my jeans, but if we ran into trouble here, I’d have little room to maneuver.

Carrie moved silently behind me, her breath controlled but quick. She knew something serious was happening, and I didn’t have time to explain everything just yet.

We reached the basement garage. My SUV was parked in the far corner, hidden from immediate view. I scanned the area—no movement, no signs of a tail. Still, my instincts screamed that we weren’t safe.

“Get in,” I ordered, unlocking the car and guiding her inside.

As soon as she was buckled, I slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. I reversed fast, my eyes darting to the garage entrance. The security cameras mounted near the ceiling made my jaw tighten. If someone was watching, they’d know we were leaving.

We needed to disappear. Now.

I pulled out onto the street, keeping to the speed limit but taking a less direct route toward the highway. If we were being followed, I’d find out soon enough.

Carrie shifted beside me. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

I exhaled through my nose, checking the rearview mirror before answering. “There was an attempt on your father’s life tonight.”

Her breath hitched. “What? Is he—”

“He’s fine. But the message was clear. They’re coming after you next.”

The blood drained from her face. “Who? Why?”

“That’s what I intend to find out,” I said. “But first, I need to get you somewhere safe.”

Silence. She was processing. Then, quietly, “Where?”

I hesitated. That was the problem. Henry hadn’t given me a clear destination, and any place tied to him—even under fake names—would be a risk.

I needed somewhere no one would expect. Somewhere even Henry himself wouldn’t think of.

And then, it hit me.

“I know a place,” I said, gripping the wheel. “But it won’t be comfortable.”

Carrie frowned. “I don’t care about comfort, Nathan. I just want to know what the hell is happening.”

I took a sharp turn onto a quieter road, the city lights fading behind us. “Then buckle up, princess. Because this isn’t just about your father anymore. It’s about survival.”

Her fingers curled around the seatbelt, knuck

les white.

I pressed harder on the gas.