Marco's name was enough to erase every trace of exhaustion from Rafael's face.
Valoria.
The city that had suddenly become his only lead.The city where Aria might be.Nothing else mattered.
The Romano convoy cut through the highway before dawn.Black SUVs raced across the empty roads, their engines roaring beneath the gray morning sky.
Inside the lead vehicle...there was only silence.
Rafael hadn't slept for days.His eyes remained fixed on the road ahead.
Every passing mile repeated only one thought.
Aria...Just wait for me.
I'm coming.
Beside him, Noah quietly watched his friend.
Rafael looked different now.
His eyes had dark circles beneath them.His clothes remained perfect...But the man wearing them was falling apart.
Noah finally spoke.
"We'll find her."
Rafael didn't answer.
After a long moment...
He whispered,
"I have to."
"If I lose this lead..."
"I don't know where else to look."
Hours later...
