Leo didn’t seem convinced. "I get that vibe too, but we can’t ignore what happened a couple of months ago. He’s definitely dead."

Zayden narrowed his eyes. "Did you actually see his body?"

Leo pretended to look innocent. "Nope."

"Then how can you be so sure he’s dead?" Zayden pressed.

"It’s kind of obvious," Leo replied, exasperated. "If he were alive, he would’ve reached out to us by now."

Zayden shrugged. "Why would he bother? He wasn’t part of our team; he helped us just because he felt like it."

"Okay, okay, Zayden Cole Virelli, I get it," Leo said, raising his hands dramatically. "I shouldn’t have even brought up Lunel. My bad."

Zayden chuckled at Leo’s antics. "Just cut the drama, drama queen, and go find information about her."

Leo laughed and rolled his eyes. "I’m not a drama queen! Don’t label me like that, alright?"

"Alright, alright, just go already. And don’t disturb me, I’ve got a lot to handle. I need to focus on her, so scram."

Leo pretended to be shocked. "Disturb? Me? Really? Is that how you see me? Always bugging you? You really think a lot of yourself, don’t you?"

They both burst out laughing, really enjoying the moment and the playful back-and-forth they had going on.

Leo headed into the tunnel while Zayden made his way to the cabin, where the morning sunlight was getting brighter. It was already 7 a.m. Zayden stepped inside the cabin, greeted by the fresh scent of pine, and rushed to check on Zeynep in the room. He took her wrist to feel her pulse and was relieved to find it steady and normal. Although she still looked a bit pale, her face had improved since the night before. Zayden figured that if she ate something, she’d feel even better.

Meanwhile, in the tunnel, Leo wiped out everything. He grabbed his bags and glanced at the guy tied to the chair, looking lifeless. He took a few steps closer to check the man’s pulse and noticed it was weak. A soft chuckle escaped him; it was both funny and a little unsettling. Then, he turned back and got out of the tunnel, and carefully covered up the tunnel entrance with branches and leaves, making sure it was well hidden. With the sun climbing higher, he knew he had to make it to Manhattan by the afternoon to meet up with his team and get things sorted out.

Leo first made his way to his hidden hunting hut, which was cleverly tucked away by an old radio tower. As he stepped inside the cozy wooden space, he grabbed his gear and hit a secret button on the wall. Just like that, the interior transformed into a high-tech control room, complete with screens and surveillance equipment.

He settled into a chair and checked the CCTV footage, scanning for any signs of other visitors. The screens showed only empty surroundings, no footprints or anyone in sight. Happy with what he found, he pressed the button again, and the room changed back to its usual hut vibe, with tools and supplies scattered about.

After making sure everything was locked up, Leo stepped outside and shut the door behind him, taking a deep breath of the fresh air filled with scents of moss and pine. He walked over to a big oak tree nearby and pressed down on a low branch. Suddenly, a hidden hole opened, revealing a stash of keys tucked away inside.

He grabbed the keys, and the hole closed right back up as if it was never there. Leo then moved to the back of the tree and pressed his boot against a spot that triggered his jeep to rise from beneath the muddy leaves.

With a grin, he twirled the keys in his fingers and hopped into the jeep, and put the bag on the side seat. After inserting the keys and firing up the engine, he drove off, and as he did, the ground seamlessly covered up the spot where the jeep had been hidden, leaving everything just the way it was. The wilderness kept its secrets as always.

Meanwhile, at the cabin, Zayden was whipping up a cup of coffee for himself. The soft morning light streamed through the window as he opened the lid of the coffee maker and poured in some cold water. After adding a scoop of his favorite dark roast and a splash of milk, he set his cup in the machine and hit the button, listening to the comforting sound of coffee brewing.

While he waited, his mind drifted back to Zeynep. He couldn’t wrap his head around how she had taken down two military-trained guys all by herself. That thought hung in the air until the coffee maker beeped, snapping him back to the moment. The rich aroma of fresh coffee filled the kitchen, bringing a smile to his face.

Zayden grabbed his mug and took a slow sip, savoring the smooth flavor that hit just right. With a contented sigh, he strolled down the hall to the bedroom, stopping at the door to watch Zeynep sleep. The early sunlight danced across her face, highlighting her beautiful features and making her look even more stunning. She had a captivating beauty that gave off a distinctly Turkish vibe, and he couldn’t help but wonder how she ended up in the U.S. and what stories she carried with her, because what she is telling is a whole lie.

*********

Somewhere deep in the U.S., there’s a creepy basement with black walls, barely lit by flickering candles and fancy chandeliers that give it an ominous vibe, kind of like you’d find in horror movies. In one corner, a guy in his 40s is sprawled on a sleek black leather sofa, lost in his phone. He’s dressed in a sharp black suit, looking pretty self-assured as he waits for someone to show up. Behind him, two guards stand at attention, scanning the room like hawks.