Chapter 363

Chapter 363:

Alexander rushed to the opening, peering into a narrow tunnel lit by emergency lights. “They’ve moved her.”

On the monitors, exterior cameras showed Rose’s men rushing toward the lake, taking defensive positions around the boathouse.

“They’re evacuating,” Alexander said grimly. “Rose knows we’re here.” A red light began blinking on the main console, accompanied by a steady beeping sound. One of Alexander’s tech specialists rushed to examine it.

“Sir, she’s activated some kind of countdown. The system’s locked.”

Alexander grabbed his comm. “All teams, be advised. Possible explosive devices activated. Proceed with extreme caution.”

Stefan stared at the empty chair where Camille had been moments before. So close. They’d been so close.

On one of the monitors, a camera caught a brief glimpse of Rose hurrying across the grounds toward the lake, supporting someone who could only be Camille. The image was blurred by rain, but there was no mistaking the urgency in Rose’s movements.

“She’s taking her to the water,” Stefan said. “There’s a boat.”

Alexander was already moving toward the tunnel. “Jason, take half the team and circle around to cut them off. We’ll pursue through here.” He glanced at Stefan. “You stay with the rear team.”

Stefan shook his head. “No. I know this property. I know where she’s going.” For a moment, Alexander looked ready to argue, then nodded tersely. “Stay close.”

They entered the narrow passage, moving swiftly through the damp corridor that smelled of earth and mildew. Stefan recognized the construction—old-fashioned, probably dating back to Prohibition.

“Richard once told Camille this place had tunnels,” Stefan explained as they moved. “The original owner was a bootlegger.”

The passage began to slope upward. Ahead, they could see dim light.

“Movement ahead,” whispered one of the team members. “At least two figures.” Alexander signaled for silence as they approached the exit. They could hear voices now—Rose’s high and strained, another male voice responding curtly.

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“Get her in the boat,” Rose was saying. “She’s coming with us.”

“We need to move now,” the man replied. “Pierce’s team is all over the property.”

The beeping from the monitoring room had followed them somehow, growing more urgent. Whatever countdown Rose had activated was nearing its end.

“Thirty seconds till we breach the exit,” Alexander whispered into his comm. “All teams converge on the boathouse.”

Stefan felt a strange calm settle over him. After everything he had done wrong, after all his failures, he now had one chance to help save Camille. One chance to prove he wasn’t the selfish coward who had betrayed her.

“Ready?” Alexander asked, his eyes focused and deadly.

Stefan nodded, clutching the wooden fishing lure in his pocket. “Ready.”

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