Ivy POV

I stood by the window and watched the courtyard fill with armored trucks, guards, weapons, and men moving with tense faces. Every sound outside made my chest tighten. The convoy Lucien planned was real. The bait was real. And even though it was supposed to be a trap, I couldn’t shake the fear that something would go wrong.

Rick sat on the edge of the bed behind me. He was quiet, too quiet. I knew he sensed the fear in the air even when I tried to hide it.

Mara stepped into the ...