Chapter 5 - Safehouse in the Woods
By nightfall, they arrived at a secluded, heavily fortified cabin hidden deep within the Adirondack Mountains.
Daniel had purchased the property years ago under a fake shell corporation for exactly this kind of emergency.
The cabin was completely off the grid, equipped with solar panels, a deep well, and enough supplies to last for months.
As he locked the heavy steel deadbolts on the front door, the adrenaline finally began to leave his body.
Emily placed the sleeping babies into a large, comfortable crib that Daniel had hastily assembled in the master bedroom.
She walked out into the main living area, finding Daniel staring silently into the crackling fireplace.
Without a word, she wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, pressing her cheek against his broad back.
Daniel turned around, pulling her into a desperate, crushing embrace that communicated everything words could not.
"I missed you every single second of every single day," he confessed, burying his face in her dark hair.
"I thought I would never feel you hold me again," Emily whispered, tears soaking into his ruined dress shirt.
They stood there for a long time, the trauma of the past year slowly melting away in the warmth of the fire.
Later that evening, they sat on the heavy leather sofa, watching the twins sleep through a baby monitor.
Emily told him about the difficult months working at the diner, hiding in plain sight, terrified of being found.
Daniel listened in furious silence, vowing internally that he would buy the diner for Mac and ensure Emily never worked another painful day in her life.
His phone buzzed on the coffee table, breaking the peaceful silence of the cabin.
It was a text from Marcus: "I have the package. Bringing him to the cabin tomorrow at dawn."
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Daniel squeezed Emily's hand, a dangerous smile touching his lips.
"Tomorrow, we get the proof," he told her softly.
