The two officers standing in the hallway didn''t waste a second. One of them dialed their boss, voice low but urgent.


    "Sir, something''s off at Sofia''s ce. There are two used sses on the coffee table, the doormat''s clearly been messed with, and she''s acting super jumpy, barely making sense. We think Nathaniel might be hiding inside. Requesting a search warrant right now, and backup to block every exit. We can''t risk him slipping away."


    The answer came almost before he finished talking. "Approved. The search warrant''s on its way to your phones. SWAT is already rolling. Lock down the entire building. Don''t let Nathaniel escape, no matter what."


    The police kicked into high gear. In less than twenty minutes, five unmarked cars slipped through back streets and parked in the shadows near the apartment building. Officers in in clothes stepped out, moving fast and quiet, spreading out to cover every entrance, every corner, even the underground garage.


    Frank, the SWAT leader, was already at the makeshiftmand post, all in ck and scanning the building''s floor n. He gave his orders without hesitation.


    "Team one, cover the main entrance and the parking garage. Check everyoneing or going. No exceptions. Team two, block off all the fire escapes. I want someone on every floor, keep your heads down and don''t tip him off. Team three..."


    He switched to the radio. "Listen up. Nathaniel''s wanted for multiple felonies. He''s armed and extremely dangerous. If you spot him, warn him first. If he resists, you''re cleared to use force, but I want him alive. Understood?"


    "Yes, sir!” The answer was sharp and instant. The officers disappeared into the building and the surrounding streets, turning the whole ce into a trap with no way out.


    ...


    Inside the apartment, Sofia leaned against the door, forcing herself to stay still until she was sure the hall outside was silent. Only then did she finally stand up straight. She was just about to head to her bedroom when she heard a faint noise from the guest room. Her heart jumped into her throat.


    She turned and saw Nathaniel crawling out from under the bed. Dust clung to his clothes, his face as dark and stormy as ever. He brushed himself off, his eyes fixed on her with a mix of anger and something she couldn''t read.


    "Where did Bailey move the box?" His voice was hoarse, rough at the edges.


    The way he looked at her made Sofia''s skin prickle. She stepped back, bumping into the arm of the sofa, barely catching herself from falling.


    "I... I don''t know. I really didn''t ask."


    "You don''t know?"


    Nathaniel closed the distance in a blink. He grabbed her wrist before she could react. His grip was painfully tight, like he could snap her bones if he wanted. She sucked in a


    sharp breath pain shooting


    go her


    arm, and tears sprang to her eyes.


    "Dous is Bailey''s right hand. You knew the box was moved but didn''t even think


    to ask where? Are you serious?” His frustration burned hot, almost as if her answer was a personal insult.


    Sofia''s eyes filled with tears from the pain. She struggled, trying to pull her arm free.


    "I swear, I have no idea! Dous just said the box was moved. He never told me where!" At the time, all she could think about was pinning the me on Reese so she could get Nathaniel to deal with him. She


    hadn''t thought any further than that.


    Cóntent


    Nathaniel stared into her eyes, searching for a lie. But all he saw was fear and pain.


    Almost without thinking, he eased up on her wrist, just a little.