Page 57 of Dark Rebel's Fortune

"Where is my daughter now? Is she with Yasmin and her kids?"

He shook his head. "She is in another secure location."

She nodded, accepting his explanation. "Thank you for taking such great risks for our family."

"As I said before, there is no need to thank me. It's what we do."

The van slowed as they reached a more congested area, and Anton navigated through the traffic with the confidence of someone who had driven around this city his entire life. They were entering the industrial zone now, a landscape of warehouses and manufacturing facilities that offered cover.

"Five minutes to secondary fallback point," Anton reported. "No signs of pursuit so far."

Max's comm unit activated once more, this time with Jade's voice. "We're being followed. Black SUV, three blocks back. Attempting evasive maneuvers."

"Do you need support?" Max asked.

"Negative," Jade replied. "Continue as planned. I'll handle this."

Max knew better than to argue with the Kra-ell leader. If she said she could handle it, she would.

The secondary fallback location was an abandoned textile factory on the outskirts of the industrial district. Its multiple entry points and maze-like interior made it ideal for a temporary gathering point. From there, they would change vehicles and make their way to the safe house where Yasmin and her children were already secured.

As they got nearer, Max scanned the perimeterfor any signs of Doomer activity. The factory seemed quiet, its broken windows and graffiti-covered walls giving it the appearance of long abandonment.

"Looks clear," he said. "But stay alert. They've anticipated too many of our moves already, and I don't know how they are getting their intel. I hope it's not a breach in our support team."

When Anton brought the van to a stop in a loading bay at the rear of the facility, positioning it for a quick exit if needed, Max turned to Rana. "Stay in the vehicle until I give the all-clear. If you hear gunfire or if I don't return within five minutes, Anton will get you out of here."

She cast the Kra-ell warrior an uneasy glance but then nodded.

28

KYRA

The industrial district loomed around them in gray metal and concrete, a stark contrast to the chaotic mixture of architectural styles of central Tehran.

As Dima navigated the van through the maze of warehouses and abandoned buildings, Kyra's hand remained on her weapon, eyes constantly scanning for threats.

Her pendant had cooled against her skin, but recent experience had taught her that its warnings were inconsistent at best. "Where are we going?" Parisa asked quietly, leaning forward in her seat.

"One of these buildings." Kyra caught her sister's gaze in the rearview mirror. The unfinished conversation from the shop lingered between them, questions suspended in the chaos of their escape. But this wasn't the time or place to address them. "This is just a meet-up point. Not our final destination."

Parisa nodded.

Dima slowed the van as they approached a dilapidated textile factory, its faded sign barely legible beneath years of dust and neglect. The loading bay door was partially open, and through the gap Kyra could make out other vehicles parked inside.

"Looks like Max and Rana beat us here," she said.

Her heart started beating a little faster as Dima pulled the van into the cavernous space, the hollow echo of their engine bouncing off concrete walls, and then it raced when she spotted Max standing beside a van, speaking with Rana.

Her sister looked remarkably composed, given the circumstances, and Kyra didn't know who she wanted to hug first, Max or Rana.

Another vehicle was parked deeper in the shadows, and she assumed it was the one Yamanu had used, arriving here first with Soraya.

When the van came to a stop, Kyra was out before Dima killed the engine, her eyes quickly finding Max's. The brief exchange of glances communicated everything words couldn't—relief, concern, the shared understanding of a mission in flux.

"Any trouble?" Max asked, moving toward her while trying to maintain a respectable distance, conscious of her sisters' gazes.

"It was scary, but Dima executed impeccable evasion techniques." She cast the Kra-ell a fond look. "He says that he learned to drive escape vehicles on a simulator in the village. He also insiststhat I have to do it too, and I'll become as good as he is."

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