Tristan snapped the bikes into place as he spoke. "This time is different. We have his exact location, and we need the extra muscle. Plus, it's just a phone call— Benjamin won't intercept it. Just tell the cops to play it smart. I'll keep you updated, and we'll adapt on the fly."

Elizabeth was sharp. She grasped the plan instantly and nodded. "Got it. Go, I'm heading back now. Watch your backs out there."

Tristan nodded. He and the three men hauled the bikes to the edge of the highway, slipped on their night vision goggles, and pedaled off into the darkness.

Wasting no time, Elizabeth threw the SUV into drive and sped away.

The three separate groups were now converging at nearly identical speeds.

The ride was rough. Emily sat blindfolded, her hands and feet bound, wedged tightly between two men in the back seat.

Andrew was forced into the row right in front of her, similarly sandwiched between two guards.

Benjamin rode shotgun, his senses on high alert as he monitored their surroundings while keeping a close ear on his two prisoners.

Trapped shoulder-to-shoulder with her captors, Emily didn't dare make a move.

After what felt like an eternity, the convoy finally ground to a halt.

Emily and Andrew were shoved out of the vehicles, the blindfolds ripped from their faces.

Looming before them was The Forest Cabin, hidden deep in the woods.

Benjamin stepped up behind them. "Get inside. No need to stand out in the cold."

Emily knew with absolute certainty that once they crossed that threshold, they were never getting out.

Now was the only window to make a run for it.

Because they had to walk, Benjamin had ordered her ankles untied, leaving only the bindings on her wrists. The second they stepped inside, she'd be tied up all over again.

This was the most mobility she was going to get.

It was the dead of night. Beyond the weak glow spilling from the cabin, the forest was pitched in total blackness. If she could just reach the tree line, tracking her would be nearly impossible.

She turned her head and shot Andrew a loaded glance.

Andrew arched an eyebrow. It was hard to tell if he caught her drift.

Whatever. It was now or never.

Emily abruptly stopped, doubling over with a pained expression and letting out a low groan.

The guard holding her shoved her impatiently. "What's your problem? Keep moving!"

Emily squeezed her eyes shut, her face completely drained of color. "It hurts... it hurts so bad..."

Benjamin scowled and marched over. "What's going on?"

The guard gripped her arm, shaking his head. "I don't know, she just started complaining about pain."

Benjamin stepped right up to Emily, grabbing a fistful of her hair to force her head up, studying her face intently.

"My stomach cramps..." Emily gasped weakly.

Benjamin sneered. "Emily, what kind of stunt are you trying to pull?"

Emily shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut in feigned agony. "It really hurts..."

Andrew's voice was dark. "What's wrong with her?"

"I don't know," Emily whispered.

Andrew's brow furrowed as he glared at Benjamin. "Take her to a hospital."

Benjamin let go of her hair and let out a harsh laugh. "Are you out of your mind? You need to remember your place You're my hostages you don't make demands. A hospital? You can dream on."

Andrew's jaw clenched tight, his expression deeply menacing.

"Enough," Benjamin barked. "Save the sob story. Get them inside."

"Yes, boss," the guard grunted.

Still hunched over, Emily slowly looked up at Andrew and gave him an imperceptible nod.

In a flash, taking advantage of the

guard's loosened grip, Emily

snapped her wrists apart, breaking the rope she had already secretly sawed through

Before the man beside her could even register what was happening,

she drove her heel directly into the back of his knee with everything she hade leta grunt and

Kumpiled

to the dirt.

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In that exact same second, Andrew broke his own bindings and ruthlessly tackled

the guard next to him to the ground.