The night air was cool when Andrei Williams finally stepped out of Mrs. Gregory’s house. The porch light cast a soft halo around him, stretching his shadow across the quiet driveway. He paused for a moment, glancing back at the door the maid had just closed behind him. Mrs. Gregory was asleep—exhausted, frightened, and emotionally drained—but safe. At least for tonight.

He had waited until her breathing softened, until her trembling hands finally relaxed as sleep took over.

And before ...