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Paul stood near the window, but Noah could feel his brother’s gaze. Watching him. Studying him.

“You’re in love with her.”

The words landed like a gut punch, but Noah didn’t flinch. His jaw clenched. He didn’t look up.

“Not the time, Paul.” It was never the time.

Paul exhaled. “She’s sicker than she looks.”

Noah knew. He had known since she woke up confused, since she started losing pieces of time. Since her voice had wavered in fear when she admitted she didn’t remember them.

“She needs time to heal.” Paul’s voice was steady. Clinical. “And she’s not going to get that on the run.”

Noah finally looked up, his eyes burning. “She won’t get it if she’s dead either.”

Paul stilled.

They both knew the truth—waiting here meant waiting to die.

Paul’s jaw tensed. He didn’t like it. But after a long, reluctant pause, he nodded. “You’re right.” His voice was tight. “I just don’t like it.”

Noah exhaled, his grip tightening around Ruth’s small, fragile fingers. “Neither do I.”

The soft knock at the door shattered the moment. Tristan and James walked in, arms full of supplies, moving with the sharp efficiency of men who had done this before.

James dropped a heavy black duffel onto the table. “Everything you need is in here. IV fluids, pain meds, monitoring equipment, oxygen tank.”

Tristan set another case down with a soft thud. “You’ll need to watch her vitals constantly. If she spikes a fever, if she gets more confused or lethargic, if the pressure in her brain increases?—”

“I’ll know.” Paul’s voice was clipped as he rifled through the contents of the bag.

Tristan nodded. “We also packed a portable ultrasound. Just in case.”

Paul raised a brow. “You raided a hospital for this, didn’t you?”

James smirked, unfazed. “Not the first time.”

Noah ignored them. His focus never left Ruth.

She shifted slightly, her body tense, her breathing uneven. A quiet whimper escaped her lips.

Paul saw it too. His expression darkened. “She’s exhausted,” he murmured. “This is pushing her too hard.”

Noah’s stomach twisted. He knew. But there was no other option. His lips pressed into a tight line. “She just has to hold on a little longer.”

Paul didn’t say what they were both thinking. What if she couldn’t?

* * *

Brad,Alex, and Evan entered next, carrying folders, burner phones, and cash.

“Alright,” Brad got straight to the point, “your cover story is already in motion. We have hospital records showing Ruth being transferred out of state for specialized care.”

Alex tossed Noah a prepaid phone. “No tracking, no internet access. Just a line for emergencies.”

Evan pulled out the map again. “We’ve got your exit route locked down. You’ll take the back loading dock. Security has been… let’s say, persuaded not to ask questions.”

Noah nodded, grateful but tense.