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Taking a deep breath, I turn back to Talon. "You're right. We can't let fear stop us from moving forward. Alex's sacrifice wasn't in vain, and we owe it to him to keep moving forward.”

Talon nods in silent agreement, his grip on my hand reassuring me of our shared resolve. Together, we would honor Alex's memory by continuing the mission he believed in so deeply.

With a newfound sense of strength, I pick up the shirt from the bed, holding it close for a moment, before folding it neatly. As I place it back down, a sense of purpose settled over me.

“We'll find Luca.”

Talon's expression softens. “We will," he affirms, squeezing my hand gently. “Together.”

VESPER

Sleep evades me.I've worn a path into Alex's carpet from my endless pacing, the fibers beneath my feet flattened from the hours of restless movement. His room, a silent reminder of what we've lost.

I run my fingers along his desk for the hundredth time, searching for something, anything, that might help us. Alex always had contingency plans. He wouldn't have left us completely unprepared for this moment, would he?

“Come on, Alex,” I plea. "You must have known this could happen. You must have left us something.”

Only silence answers me. I've torn through his notes, combed through files on the only unlocked laptop he left behind, but found nothing that could help us face The Collector. The rest of his setup is locked. Nothing that could ensure we all walk away from this alive.

A soft knock interrupts my desperate search. I don't need to turn to know it's Talon.

“Vesper?” His voice is low, careful not to startle me. “Z and Oz are leaving.”

Talon stands in the doorway, already dressed, his injured shoulder no longer in a sling, though I can tell by the way he holds himself that it still pains him. The black outfit makes his skin seem paler, highlighting the exhaustion etched into his features. He's pushing himself too hard. We all are.

I've always hated goodbyes, but this one tastes like ash in my mouth.

“Tell them to wait,” I order. “Not yet.”

“They're loading up now. They want to be in the tunnels before dawn.”

I push past him, my bare feet silent against the hardwood floors as I rush down the hallway. The apartment feels too large, too empty. Without Alex's steady presence, everything feels unmoored.

I find Oscar and Zaire in the garage, loading duffel bags into a nondescript black SUV. They both look up when I enter.

“You weren't going to say goodbye?” I demand, crossing my arms over my chest to hide how badly my hands are shaking.

Zaire approaches me first. “Moya koroleva," he says, his voice a low rumble. “We thought it would be easier.”

“Easier for who?” I snap.

“For us,” Oscar admits, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. “Saying goodbye to you has never been easy.”

The honesty in his admission catches me off guard, momentarily silencing the panic clawing at my throat. I take in the sight of them, dressed in black tactical gear, weapons strapped to their bodies, expressions set with grim determination. These men who have become my world are preparing to risk everything for my brother. For me.

“What if this is the last time?” The words escape before I can stop them, voicing the fear that's been haunting me since we formed this plan.

Z closes the distance between us. “It won't be.”

“You don't know that. Alex thought he was coming back, too.”

Pain flashes across his features before he masters it. “We're not going into a firefight, solnishko. We're infiltrating tunnels that haven't been used in years. Reconnaissance only, until you arrive.”

Oz approaches, standing shoulder to shoulder with his twin. “We need to go now to ensure we're in position when you arrive. Time is our advantage.”

I know he's right, but logic does nothing to ease the panic coursing inside of me.

“I can't lose you, too,” I say, my voice barely audible. “Not after Alex.”