That's them. The vehicle sped past the curve ahead, racing toward the convoy.
Security agents stepped into the road, hands raised. The van swerved violently, and disappeared down a side access road before anyone could react.
Marcus lowered his weapon slowly. Damn it.
The sound of the van's engine faded into the distance. Victoria looked toward the road where it vanished.
They came back. Elias nodded.
And now they know the trap didn't work. Marcus turned back toward him.
How sure are you about that? Elias gestured toward the disabled SUV.
Because if the plan had worked, he let the sentence hang. Marcus finished it.
They'd be looking at a wreck right now. Victoria exhaled slowly.
Instead, they saw us standing here. Marcus nodded grimly.
So, now they'll adapt. Elias looked down the highway again.
The rain had almost stopped now. But, the air still felt heavy.
They already did, he said quietly. Marcus studied him.
What makes you say that? Elias pointed toward the road where the van disappeared.
Because whoever was driving that didn't panic. Marcus followed the thought.
They were observing. Exactly.
Victoria crossed her arms. They wanted confirmation.
Elias nodded. And now they have it.
Marcus rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. So, the question becomes, Victoria finished the sentence.
What do they try next? Elias looked at the convoy.
Then at the quiet highway stretching beyond it. His voice remained steady.
If someone planned to crash that carefully, he paused, they probably planned a backup. The word settled heavily over the group.
Marcus looked toward his guards. Stay alert.
Victoria glanced at Elias again. You're staying with us until we reach the city.
Elias blinked slightly. That wasn't the plan.
Victoria gave a small, firm smile. Neither was saving my life tonight.
Elias thought about Lena waiting at home, about the clock on the kitchen wall, about promises. Then he looked at the convoy again.
You might need someone who knows how these traps work, Victoria said. Elias sighed quietly.
He already knew she was right. And somewhere out there on a dark road, someone who had set a deadly trap now knew it had failed.
The white cargo van was gone, but the tension it left behind clung to the highway like the last mist of rain. Marcus Trent stood still for a moment, staring down the access road where the van had vanished.
The tail lights had disappeared quickly, swallowed by darkness and wet pavement.
"They didn't even hesitate," one of the guards muttered.
Marcus shook his head slowly.
"No. They came to confirm the outcome."
Victoria Hale looked back at the disabled SUV. "And they confirmed it failed."
Elias stood beside the vehicle tightening the last adjustment on the temporary clamp he'd installed on the brake line. The metal gave one final quiet click under his wrench.
"There," he said calmly.
Marcus looked down.
"That's it?"
"For now."
Marcus crouched to inspect the line again. The clamp held firm, keeping the damaged section stable enough for the vehicle to be moved carefully.
"You sure this will hold?"
Elias nodded.
"It'll hold long enough to move the vehicle slowly."
Victoria studied the repair with quiet interest.