Dark Web, Headquarters, same time.
"Riley, three branch sites are calling for help."
"Riley, we’ve lost contact with the main branch."
"Riley, another site’s in trouble."
"Riley—"
In the command center, the man stood tense, phone gripped so tightly his knuckles whitened, veins pulsing at his temples. "Get Quinn on the line. Tell him—let them go! That’s an order!"
Meanwhile, overseas, at Miles’s location—
Chaos reigned in the hallway outside, but inside, Mia stood firmly at Annie’s side. As long as Annie was safe, Mia could breathe; the rest she left to her husband.
Someone was about to send a distress message when headquarters called in first. The line connected immediately.
"Riley, we need backup. The military’s getting involved."
Urgency crackled in the reply. "Riley says: Let them go!"
They wanted to, but—
"Tell Riley, this place is out of control!"
Gunshots shattered the moment. Andre reacted in a flash, and Mia was just as quick, spinning to shield Annie.
Mia grabbed a pistol and tossed it to Annie without hesitation.
Pregnant as she was, Annie didn’t flinch. If anyone aimed at Mia, she fired right back, calm and steady.
"Mia, my sister can shoot too," Annie called out.
"You could’ve told me sooner." Mrs. Cedillo, having already taken down one attacker, snagged another gun and tossed it to Maja with practiced ease. Mia made a mental note: she’d have to pick up that skill herself.
Both of Miles’s guns—gone, taken by the father and son.
Outside, the chaos rolled on—shouts, sirens, scattered gunfire.
At the palace—
Henry perched on a massive, soft bed, surrounded by maids in crisp uniforms. Some offered trays of pastries and juice; others brought toys and books. All hovered, ready to please the Cedillo family’s little prince.
But as night fell, Henry’s lower lip trembled, then he broke into tears, face scrunched and wet with crying.
Kristen sat helpless at his side, gently wiping his cheeks and offering bites of pie, sips of lemonade. Henry shook his head, refusing everything.
Tonight, the sweet boy remembered the parents he’d been missing.
"Mama, I want Mommy… Where’s Mommy? Waaaah…"

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