Chapter 49. Shadows Getting Closer

They drove in silence, the hum of the engine and the crackle of the radio filling the gaps between thought. The city loomed ahead—distant, gray, unfriendly.

Ezio’s gaze stayed fixed on the road. “We switch cars in ten,” he said.

Dario nodded. “Already arranged.”

They changed vehicles in an underground lot, leaving the first one beneath layers of dust and shadow. Ezio’s nerves thrummed—something about the morning felt wrong, too still.

A notification pinged on Dario’s phone. He glanced at the screen and muttered a curse.

“It’s from Nero.”

Ezio’s grip tightened on the wheel. “What about him?”

Dario read the message aloud. “He says there’s been a car outside his building since last night. Same one, same guys. Unmarked.”

Ezio cursed under his breath. “He should’ve told us sooner.”

“He thought he was being paranoid.”

Ezio’s hands tightened on the wheel as they cut through the narrow country road. “We should’ve moved him last wee