章 28: Chapter 28

Panic bubbled in my chest, but I swallowed it down. "What do we do?"

Alex's jaw tightened, his blue eyes scanning the yard as if an answer might appear in the shadows. "We stay ahead of him. I've got a security team watching the house now. They'll alert us if anything happens."

I nodded, trying to find comfort in his words, but the unease in his expression betrayed his uncertainty.

"Emma," he said, stepping closer, his voice softening as his hands rested lightly on my arms. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Or to your mother. I promise."

Before I could respond, a loud crash shattered the fragile calm. My heart leapt into my throat as Alex grabbed my hand, pulling me back from the door.

"Stay here," he ordered sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

But I hesitated, panic and curiosity warring inside me. "What was that?"