The moment Xavier heard the line go dead, his heart pounded violently in his chest.
"Ana?" His voice was sharp, urgent. "Ana!"
Nothing.
Xavier's entire body tensed, his hand clenching the phone so tightly it nearly cracked under the pressure. His worst fear had just come true.
Mr. Wallace had escaped, and now he had Anastasia.
Xander, still sitting on the floor, wiped blood from his split lip, watching his brother with wary eyes. "What's wrong?" he asked, voice hoarse.
Xavier turned to him slowly, his dark gaze cutting through him like a blade. "He took Anastasia."
Xander's breath hitched. His knuckles pressed against the cold floor, tightening as he processed what Xavier had just said. Despite everything, despite all the years of resentment, that information sent a jolt of dread through him.
"I'll come with you," Xander said, struggling to his feet. His face was bruised, and bloody, but there was no hesitation in his voice.
