Page 76 of Sanctuary

Winters made a sound of agreement. “We’ve dispatched a team to extract and secure your sister, but they won’t arrive for nine—”

“Don’t bother. I’m on my way to her.”

“That’s not advisable,” Winters countered immediately. “Vance knows you, Mia. He’ll be expecting you to come. That’s likely part of his plan.”

I looked at Connor, seeing my own determination reflected in his eyes. “I can’t stay here while Lily is in danger.”

“And you won’t,” he assured me, then addressed the phone. “Agent Winters, we appreciate the warning, but we’re going to Vancouver. Your team can meet us there.”

Winters sighed, the sound of resignation crackling through the speaker. “I figured you’d say that. There’s a private jet waiting at the airfield thirty miles from your location. It’ll get you to Vancouver in four hours. My team will rendezvous with you at the airport.”

“Thank you,” I said, already moving toward the bedroom to pack.

“Mia,” Winters called before I could hang up. “Vance isn’t like the others. He’s... unpredictable. Matheson kept him on a tight leash for good reason.”

“I know exactly what he is,” I replied grimly, memories of Vance’s methods flashing through my mind. “That’s why I need to be there.”

We packed quickly, gathering only essentials. Connor made a brief call to Declan, explaining the situation while I checked and loaded my weapons. Within twenty minutes, we were in the car, racing along the dark forest roads toward the airfield.

“What aren’t you telling me about Vance?” Connor asked as he navigated a sharp curve, his eyes fixed on the narrow road ahead.

I stared out the window, watching the moonlit trees blur past. “He was Matheson’s enforcer. When operatives failed or tried to leave, Craven was sent in first, and if he didn’t get results, Vance was sent to handle it.”

“Handle it?”

“Make examples of them,” I clarified, my voice flat. “He enjoys his work in ways that make Craven look like an amateur. I’ve seen what he leaves behind.”

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “And now he’s after Lily.”

“Yes,” I whispered, fear clawing at my throat. “And he’ll know exactly how to hurt me through her.”

He reached across the console to take my hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “We won’t let that happen. We’ll get to her first.” He punched a phone number onto the car’s navigation screen, and it started to ring through the speakers.

“Ryker,” a voice barked.

“It’s Connor. How’s it going?”

“Not good,” Ryker replied, his voice tense. “Royal and I have been watching Lily’s apartment, but she didn’t return from school today. We’ve checked her usual spots—nothing.”

My heart seized in my chest. “When did you last see her?”

“This morning, leaving for work. She seemed fine, normal routine. We maintained distance as instructed but kept visual contact until she entered the school.”

“And after that?” Connor pressed.

“She never came out the main entrance. We checked with school staff—she left early, around noon. Said she wasn’t feeling well.”

I exchanged a worried glance with Connor. “That doesn’t sound like her routine.”

“It’s not,” Ryker confirmed. “According to her colleagues, she never misses work. Royal is checking hospital admissions now, but...”

“But you think Vance already has her,” I finished, the words like ash in my mouth.

“We found her phone in a trash can two blocks from the school. Still powered on.”

Connor accelerated, pushing the car faster along the winding road. “Stay at her apartment. If she shows up or if Vance makes contact, call immediately.”

“Will do. We’ll keep searching the area.”

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