The hotel room was deceptively silent, with a lot of tension and unsaid anxieties in the air. Standing at the little table, Dorian gave orders in whispered tones while holding his phone to his ear. Ana was sitting on the side of the bed across the room, her arms around the twins in a protective manner. Alaric clutched to his mother, his huge eyes darting anxiously toward the entrance, while Isolde drew peacefully, her crayons spread out on the blanket.
Speaking into the phone, Dorian said, "Tomorrow morning." Make sure the road is safe and have the automobile ready. No mistakes. He stopped and listened to the answer, his jaw tensing. "All right. I'll get in touch with you when we move.
Ana's eyes stared at him as he hung up, her face displaying a mixture of smoldering rage and uncertainty. "Should I have to guess what your plan is, or will you tell me?"
With a groan, Dorian combed through his hair. "We must leave this place. They'll try again; they've already discovered us once. We have to escape their grasp.
"And just where is that?" Ana's tone was stern as she inquired. "Because it appears that nowhere is safe from where I am standing."
With a firm voice, Dorian declared, "I have a safe house." It's tough to track down because it's off the grid. Until I find a way to stop Vincent and Lila, we can remain there.
Ana's eyes narrowed. "And why do you think we won't be discovered there?"
"They won't," Dorian firmly stated. "I've taken every safety measure. Ana, it's no longer just about me. It's to keep you and the children safe.
Her fingers clenched around Alaric's little hand as she hesitated. "Dorian, I'm entrusting you with their lives," she muttered. "Avoid making me feel bad about it."
His voice grew softer as he continued, "You won't." "I swear."
---
The following morning was a haze of silent planning. Dorian returned with a beautiful black SUV with tinted windows after a brief absence to get the vehicle.
"Load up," he murmured in a soft, clipped voice. "We must act swiftly."
While Dorian locked their luggage in the trunk, Ana grabbed the twins and assisted them into the backseat.
"Mama, is this another adventure?" With a trace of anxiety mixed with curiosity, Isolde questioned.
Ana feigned a grin and responded, "Yes, baby." "An additional adventure."
With his mouth clenched, Dorian slid into the driver's seat and looked ahead at the road. "All set?"
Ana's chest constricted as she looked at him. "I'm as prepared as I will ever be."
---
The twins' sporadic inquiries were the only thing that broke the strained stillness during the journey. Dorian's gaze darted to the rearview mirror every few minutes while his knuckles clenched around the driving wheel.
Ana said, looking back at the kids, "They're scared."
Dorian said in a hushed voice, "So am I."
His candor made Ana's breath catch, and something deep inside her was aroused by the vulnerability in his tone.
"They'll be fine," she responded, sounding more composed than she actually was. "Everyone will be alright."
With a glimmer of hope in his storm-tinted eyes, Dorian looked at her. "I'll see to that."
---
The safe house was a large cottage tucked away in the woods, with Dorian's sophisticated security systems masked behind its rustic facade. Ana had an odd mixture of comfort and uneasiness as soon as they entered.
Dorian put their luggage down and said, "It's not much, but it's secure."
As they investigated, the twins sprinted ahead, their laughter resonating throughout the cabin. Ana crossed her arms and turned to face Dorian.
"Now, what's the plan?" she inquired.
"We wait now," he remarked. "My team is attempting to collect evidence against Lila and Vincent. This will all end when we have enough to defeat them.
"What if it isn't?" Ana pushed.
"It will be," he asserted. "I will not allow them to harm you. Any one of you.
The resolve in his voice caused her shields to flinch a little. "You did a better job with this strategy, Dorian. Because in the event that it doesn't The implied repercussions hung in the air as she faded off.
"It will," he replied softly as he moved in closer. "I swear to you, Ana. I'll put things right.
After a moment of staring at him, she turned away, her heart a whirlpool of mixed feelings.
---
After the twins had gone to sleep that night, Ana saw Dorian seated on the porch, gazing out at the shadowy forest while holding a glass of whiskey.
She stepped outside into the chilly night air and remarked, "You should be inside."
"So should you," he said, but his tone was not as sharp as usual.
After hesitating, Ana took a seat next to him, and they sat in silence.
"Why are you now so concerned?" At last, her voice was hardly audible above a whisper when she inquired.
Dorian gripped the glass more tightly. "Because I've been avoiding my mistakes for years," he stated. However, I am unable to flee this. I am unable to flee you.
Her feelings threatened to overflow as her throat constricted. "Dorian, you abandoned me. You gave her the victory.
With remorse in his voice, he responded, "I know." And for the rest of my life, I will despise myself for it. But now I'm here. Ana, I'm not going away. Never again.
His comments sparked a deep-seated optimism that she wasn't sure she was ready to experience.
Her voice was shaking as she continued, "I want to believe you." "However, I'm not sure if I can."
He turned to face her completely and added, "Then let me prove it to you." "Let me demonstrate to you that I have changed as a person. that you and the children deserve a man like me.
Her heart was racing as she gazed at him. "What if I am incapable of forgiving you?"
Then, he stated plainly, "I'll try to earn it for the rest of my life."
She was struck speechless by the unadulterated honesty in his words, and she briefly allowed herself to lean into the prospect of a future with him.
However, the moment was interrupted before she could reply by the soft sound of a twig breaking in the forest.
Dorian's muscles tensed and his face darkened. He stood up and said, "Stay here."
"No," Ana hurriedly murmured, taking hold of his arm. "You won't be going out there by yourself."
"I'll be alright," he stated firmly. "Remain with the children."
Ana's mind was racing with a thousand possibilities as he vanished into the darkness.
She was chilled by the dim gleam of spotlights in the trees and the sound of faraway voices. Locking the door behind her, she went back inside to check on the twins, who were still sound sleeping.
It seemed like hours passed before the door opened once more, and Dorian entered with a somber face.
His voice was quiet as he stated, "They're scouting the area." However, they failed to locate us. Not quite yet.
Ana's heart fell. "Dorian, how much longer can we run?"
His jaw tensed as he added, "As long as it takes." "I'll keep you safe, Ana. Regardless.
As the night went on, Ana couldn't get rid of the sensation that their time was running out because of the weight of his promise that had fallen between them.