“Instruct some men to follow them and gather any information we might need. We’ll head back to the hotel and decode the chip,” Leonardo commanded, his voice firm.

Arya frowned, her fingers curling into a fist to steady herself. “Why? I thought we were going after them.”

Leonardo’s sharp gaze softened, but his tone remained resolute. “We don’t have time to chase shadows, princess. We need to split up. Let them lead us to their base while we focus on the chip.”

She shifted uncomfortably, the sharp sting in her side now impossible to ignore. Just as she straightened, the pain betrayed her, pulling a grimace onto her face before...