Ava didn't move.
Elias stood across from her, gun pointed steady. "She gave me a choice," he said quietly. "Bring you in—or they come after my sister."
Julian shifted forward. "She's lying. Noura doesn't make trades. She makes threats."
Elias's eyes flicked to him. "And yet here you are—still alive after all the chances she had."
Ava's heart thundered. Her voice was calm, but barely. "If you hand me over, she won't stop. You know that."
"I know," Elias whispered. "But you weren't supposed to matter."
Julian's body tensed like a wire pulled tight. "Put the gun down, Elias. Before you do something you'll regret."
Elias hesitated.
Then lowered the weapon—
Just as the window behind Ava shattered.
*Sniper.*
Julian tackled her down. Elias ducked, fired toward the window.
Chaos.
They scrambled behind the bed as another shot struck the lamp, sparks flying. Julian grabbed Ava's hand. "We have to move—now!"
Elias cursed, firing again. "She didn't just send me. She sent *them*."
Julian yanked open the bathroom door, pushed Ava through a side exit into the hall. Elias followed.
"She's burning everything," Elias gasped. "No more shadows. No more rules."
They fled down the stairwell, the hotel fire alarm blaring above them. Ava's lungs burned. Her heart was cracking wide open.
When they hit the street, Elias looked at Julian.
"Give me the drive."
"No."
A tense beat.
Then Elias looked at Ava.
"I've never begged in my life," he said, voice shaking. "But I'm begging now. Don't go with him. Noura will never stop. Not until you're gone. Be smart. *Run*."
Ava stared at him.
Then turned to Julian.
Eyes locked.
Her voice didn't waver.
"I'd rather die beside him than live safe without him."
Julian didn't say a word. Just grabbed her hand like a lifeline.
And they vanished into the night—together.