Noah was left alone at a gas station in the middle of the night.

I told Captain Carter everything.

From the moment Vanessa left Noah at the gas station, through the messages, the note, the discovery about Lila, the cabin, the conversation I had just overheard.

He listened without interrupting.

Then he said:

“Stay where you are. Do not approach that cabin again. I’m assembling a tactical team now. We’ll be there in forty minutes. Can you hold out that long?”

I looked at the dark woods behind me.

“I’ll try. But they might hurt that little girl before you get here.”

“Keep your distance, Mr. Hayes. That’s an order. We cannot risk you or the child.”

He hung up.

Forty minutes.

Longest forty minutes of my life.

I waited in the shadows, watching the road, watching the cabin.

Every minute felt like an hour.

What if Jason got impatient? What if he hurt Lila? What if they decided to leave before backup arrived?

Then I saw movement.

The cabin door opened.

Jason stepped out, dragging a small bundle by the hand.

Lila.

Even in the dim light, I could see her—pale, trembling, eyes red from crying. She was clutching a worn blanket, stumbling to keep up with him.

Miller followed behind, carrying a duffel bag.

They were leaving.

Now.

I had to make a choice.

Wait for the police and risk them vanishing into the night with Lila.

Or act now. Alone.

I looked at my watch.

Twenty minutes. Still twenty minutes before Carter would arrive.

I couldn’t wait.

I stepped out from behind the tree and walked into the clearing.

“Let her go.”

Both men spun around.

Jason stared at me, eyes narrowing.

“Adrian. So you did come. Alone, just like I told you.”

He tightened his grip on Lila’s arm. She whimpered.

“Let her go, Jason. She’s just a child.”

“Give me the money, and I’ll let her go.”

“I don’t have your money,” I said, stepping slowly closer. “And you’re not getting it. From me. From Vanessa. From anyone.”

Jason laughed. A harsh, ugly sound.

“Then I guess the little girl comes with us.”

“Not today.”

Miller stepped forward, hand resting on his holster.

“Adrian… turn around and walk away. This doesn’t have to get messy.”

I looked him dead in the eye.

“I recorded everything, Miller. Every word. Every threat. Every deal. It’s all on my phone. And Captain Carter knows exactly where we are.”

Miller froze.

Jason looked between us, confused.

“Carter? As in the captain?”

“Everything you said,” I continued. “About the money. About killing me. About using Lila. He heard it all. He’s on his way right now. And if you leave here now… without Lila… maybe they’ll go easier on you.”

Jason hesitated. Then his face twisted in rage.

“He’s lying! Carter doesn’t know anything! Get him!”

Miller hesitated. And in that hesitation, his eyes flicked toward the road.

Red and blue lights. Far away, but growing brighter.

Sirens. Faint, but getting closer.

Panic flashed across Jason’s face.

He shoved Lila roughly toward Miller.

“Take her! Let’s go!”

Lila stumbled and fell.

Her blanket came loose.

And in that moment, she looked up at me.

She had Vanessa’s eyes.