The street had gone quiet again after the car disappeared.
Too quiet.
Jay stood beside Keifer, still trying to calm her racing heart. The image of the knife flashing from the car window replayed in her mind again and again.
Percy ran a hand through his hair.
"Okay," he said. "This just got ten times worse."
Aries nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the street again.
"This wasn't random."
Keigan frowned. "Two attackers."
Keiren added, "Which means at least two people involved."
Jay crossed her arms, forcing herself to think clearly.
"Or more."
Everyone went silent for a moment.
Then Keifer turned to Percy.
"We need to know if they're targeting anyone else."
Percy immediately pulled out his phone.
"Already ahead of you."
Percy stepped aside and dialed quickly.
After a few seconds, someone answered.
"Dad," Percy said.
Jay watched him carefully.
"Yes… we're fine," Percy continued. "But we need to know something."
A short pause.
"Have you or Mom noticed anyone suspicious near the house?"
Jay held her breath.
Percy listened quietly.
Then nodded slowly.
"Okay."
He ended the call and turned back to the group.
"They're safe."
Jay exhaled in relief.
"No threats near the house," Percy continued. "No suspicious people."
Aries thought for a moment.
"That means something."
Jane nodded slowly.
"They're not targeting the family."
Keigan finished the thought.
"They're targeting Jay."
Jay swallowed.
The words sounded heavier when spoken out loud.
Aries looked at Percy.
"The hotel isn't safe anymore."
Percy agreed immediately.
"They already know where she is."
Keifer spoke firmly.
"Then we move."
Jay raised an eyebrow.
"Move where?"
Percy smirked slightly.
"To the safehouse."
Keigan's eyes widened.
"Ohhh, the secret one?"
Keiren grinned.
"The one no one knows about?"
Jane nodded proudly.
"Family emergency location."
Jay blinked.
"Wait… we have a secret safehouse?"
Percy shrugged.
"Rich family perks."
Jay sighed.
"Of course we do."
An hour later, two cars quietly drove out of the city.
The safehouse was far away from the busy streets, hidden in a quiet wooded area outside town.
Jay sat in the passenger seat beside Keifer.
Neither of them spoke much during the drive.
Keifer kept glancing at the mirrors, making sure no one was following them.
Jay noticed.
"You've checked that mirror twelve times," she said softly.
Keifer shrugged.
"Just making sure."
Jay looked out the window.
"…You pushed me pretty hard earlier."
Keifer looked at her quickly.
"You could've been stabbed."
Jay nodded slowly.
"…I know."
Then she added quietly,
"Thanks for catching me."
Keifer didn't answer.
But his expression softened slightly.
The cars finally stopped in front of a large modern house surrounded by trees.
The place was quiet and hidden from the road.
Percy stepped out first and opened the gate.
"Welcome," he said dramatically, "to the Mariano emergency hideout."
Keigan looked impressed.
"This place is huge."
Keiren nodded.
"Way cooler than the hotel."
Jay stepped out of the car and looked around.
It was peaceful.
No city noise.
No strangers.
Just trees and silence.
For the first time that day…
She felt like she could breathe again.
Keifer walked up beside her.
"You okay?"
Jay nodded.
"For now."
Then she looked at him and smiled faintly.
"At least I know you'll punch anyone who gets close."
Keifer smirked slightly.
"Anyone."
Percy groaned from the doorway.
"Oh great, they're flirting again."
Keigan laughed.
"Ate Jay almost died and still found time for romance."
Jay threw a cushion at him as they walked inside.
But even with the teasing…
Everyone knew one thing.
The danger wasn't over.
They had only just begun to hide.