Chapter 103. Terms of Surrender

The car was quiet with Myla, Beck, and Jared throwing looks at Hayden, whose head was completely turned away from them, looking outside through the tinted windows of the SUV, the snow-draped city flashed by.

He hadn’t said a word after they left the precinct, leaving Jared to drive the car to the helipad where the helicopter was waiting.

The festive light twinkled on street corners, but inside the vehicle, the air was heavy with the lingering echo of Edward Kowalsky’s voice. Their house was quiet with most of the staff dismissed for the holidays, leaving only some guards.

Hayden didn’t even make it to the living room. “I’m not agreeing to it,” he said flatly, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t care what Ben or Caroline thinks. I don’t care how clever the plan sounds. Myla is not bait.”

“She has been his prey for a while now,” Jared said quietly.

“Don’t say it like that.” Hayden snarled, rounding on him. “The answer is still no. Ther