Chapter 52: A Dangerous Plan
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"It's too dangerous," Liam argued. "We'll find another way."
"There is no other way," I countered. "If you attack directly, Ethan could be killed. This way, I can get close to him."
"And what's to stop Richard from simply forcing you to work for him once he has you?" Liam demanded.
I met his gaze steadily. "You. Because you'll be following my trail, waiting for the right moment to strike."
Maya looked between us. "It could work, Liam. If we coordinate properly."
Liam paced the cabin, clearly torn between strategic sense and his instinct to protect me. Finally, he turned back to face me.
"I don't like it," he said. "But you're right. It's our best chance to get Ethan back safely."
The plan came together quickly. I would appear to surrender myself to Richard's men at a designated meeting point. Maya and a small team would track us discreetly while Liam led the main force, ready to move once we had located Ethan and assessed the hunters' strength.
"There's something else we need to consider," I said as we finalized the details. "Sophia."
"What about her?" Liam asked.
"She betrayed her family to help us," I reminded him. "Richard will know that by now. She could be in danger too."
Liam nodded. "We'll include her rescue in the plan."
As night fell, I prepared to leave. My shoulder was still healing, but I could move without too much pain. Liam watched me from the doorway, his expression troubled.
"I still don't like this plan," he admitted.
"I know," I said, approaching him and placing my hand on his chest. "But it's the right thing to do. Ethan risked himself to help me learn about my parents. I can't abandon him now."
