"I don''t know much else, Mr. Bradford. You''re the big shot here, and you have to keep your word, please! Just get the three of us out of the country as fast as you can!"


    Staying here was no longer an option.


    With a Tarquin, a yton, and a Zane lurking around, danger was everywhere!


    ke was itching to fly overseas right away.


    Tarquin gave him a knowing look. "I always keep my promises. After the dust settles, I''ll arrange for you all to leave."


    Letting them rot in a jail cell was too easy!


    Just like Gideon Bradford, they''d be better suited for life abroad!


    Tarquin nned to hand them over to yton first; then yton would find them a nice "retirement n."


    The Thorne family had tormented Elysia for twenty years; it was time they spent the rest of their lives paying for it!


    ke, clueless about Tarquin''s real intentions, thought going abroad meant living the high life and was over the moon about it.


    After meeting ke, Tarquin had a private word with Juliet and her daughter.


    Juliet and her daughter weren''t privy to much.


    All they knew was that ke had once kidnapped Winona and even built a basement to keep her hidden.


    After meeting with the family, Tarquin reached out to his contacts in the police department.


    He was trying to track down the one-eyed man.


    Tarquin had a n to have Zane bring Winona back, but judging by Zane''s current attitude, that route seemed rocky.


    He decided to keep his options open, hoping to trace the breadcrumbs back to Winona sooner rather thanter.


    His friend in the police department warned him, "Why are you tangled up with this guy? The one-eyed man is a wanted criminal, with strong ties to Burmalia."


    "He smuggles people over there, making anywhere from ten to thirty grand per person."


    "And that''s just the going rate. If you''re worth more, he earns even more!"


    "The police have been after him for ages, but he''s still atrge."


    Tarquin requested a photo of the one-eyed man and showed it to ke.


    ke nodded vigorously. "That''s him!"


    After leaving the prison, Tarquin was deep in thought.


    Winona had stayed with the Thorne family for just over a month before the one-eyed man took her. Her current whereabouts, whether still in the country or in Burmalia, remained uncertain.


    If she was in Burmalia, things were grim.


    Burmalia was notorious as a living hell; once you were in, getting out was nearly impossible!


    Suddenly, Tarquin''s phone buzzed. It was Elliot calling.


    The little guy sounded anxious, "Dad, where are you?"


    "What''s up?"


    "Zane called Mom. He says he has news about Winona and wants to meet her alone!"


    Tarquin''s expression darkened. "I''ll be right home."


    As soon as Tarquin walked through the door, Elysia rushed to him.


    "I have to meet with Zane!"


    Tarquin was skeptical. "What exactly did he say?"


    "He just mentioned he had information about Winona and preferred to discuss it in person."


    "Did he specify what kind of information?"


    "Nope!"


    "Did you tell him toe here?"


    "I did, but he insisted it was a matter of Winona''s safety and had to


    anyone else but me." Coter


    He wouldn''t t


    Tarquin frowned. Was Zane using Winona as bait to meet Elysia?


    What was he scheming?!


    Elysia was on edge, "Tarquin, I need to hear him out! I have to find out what he knows!"


    Tarquin pondered for a moment, "Take Evan with you."


    Evan could double as a bodyguard without arousing Zane''s suspicion.


    Elliot quickly chimed in, "I''ming too. Evan and I will go with Mom."


    Elysia hesitated for a second, "Alright, I''ll call Zane back."


    Zane didn''t see the five-year-old Elliot and évan as a threat and agreed to meet Elysia at a café.


    nt belongs to swnow