Page 3 of His to Break

As Caleb steered them through the crowd, he alternated between evasive maneuvers and calculated diversions. Their path became a mosaic of twists and turns.

He didn't dare look behind him until he made it to the big shop at the end of the street — complete with its shiny glass storefront window.

The reflection caught the sun a little, but when Caleb ever-so-casually glanced into it, the stranger was still visible. He stood head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd, striding through the scene with an almost-military presence.

And he was going the wrong way. He'd lost them.

Yes!Caleb continued to walk, casually flicking his eyes back to the glass. With each stolen glance, he couldn't help but sense the stranger's growing frustration.

The man scanned the masses, visibly simmering with irritation. Caleb's lips tightened, a blend of satisfaction and anxiety thrumming through his veins.

You thought you could catch me that easy? Dream on.

And just like that, Caleb walked away down the street, leaving the marketplace behind. Each step he took was a step away from immediate danger, and with each stride, a weight lifted from Caleb's shoulders. As the distance between them grew, Caleb released a sigh of relief.

Shifting his gaze to Eli, Caleb saw wonder in the child's eyes, cheeks flushed from their game. "Do you think we're safe now, special agent E?"

Eli looked around, and then gave Caleb a stern nod. "We're safe now," he explained, confident. "I used my spy powers."

Caleb gave him a smile. "Good job. Maneuvers like that are why you're my best agent."

But beneath the playful facade, Caleb's heart still raced. Their escape had been too close for comfort, and he couldn't let Eli see the fear that still lingered within him.

As Eli chattered away about spy gadgets, Caleb let it wash over him, and began to lead them back to the place that they currently called home.

They'd have to move during the night. It wouldn't be the first time, with Eli snoozing on Caleb's shoulder as he bought tickets for the nearest bus, or train, or boat…

He was doing everything in his power to keep Eli safe, to carve out a new life away from the shadows of their past. But the stress of it all was beginning to take its toll

He knew that he had to make this work, no matter the odds, for Eli's sake.

Their current hideaway was a small house nestled at the edges of the coastal town, rundown but charming.The sun had gently kissed the walls, warming their faded pastel hues over the years. A patchwork of faded tiles adorned the floors, hinting at a history rich with stories of the sea and the salty air that permeated every corner.

Someone else had once made a life here. For now, Caleb could only borrow that feeling.

Caleb, with Eli in tow, stepped up to the front door, feeling the familiar sense of calm wash over him. It had been a long, stressful day — that was an understatement.

But for now, as the soft golden light bathed the apartment, he yearned for a moment of peace.

He knew he couldn't afford to rest for long. He was already planning their next move. He knew he should already be bugging out, taking what he could and running with Eli. Running, always running.

Yet he couldn't help but yearn for one last stolen moment of peace.

One last moment in the peace of their little home would be okay, surely.

But then, as he got out his keys, something shattered that peace.

A sudden grip on his arm.

Caleb's fists instinctively clenched, turning to fight — but he froze when he felt the gun press against his stomach.

"You're a hard man to find."

Fuck.

He turned, and stared into the face of the man who had caught him.

Except… it wasn't the man who had hunted them in the market. That man had looked military, all stripped-down and strict. The man who held the weapon had a different air about him. He was more rugged, less machine and more macho. And older, too. Silver and salt mixed in his dark hair, hinting at a lifetime of experience.

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