Chapter 212

Almost noon. With a few shopping bags in hand, Mara Hawthorne and Ethan Carter stepped into the underground parking lot. They were chatting and laughing, exchanging glances that hinted at something more. Anyone who didn't know them would easily mistake them for a couple. Ethan walked around to the back of his Range Rover, ready to load the bags into the trunk. While doing so, he caught sight of a particularly eye-catching vehicle behind them—a massive, military-plated George Patton. The front windshield was covered with one-way privacy film, making it impossible to see inside the car or determine if anyone was in it. After giving the George Patton a quick once-over, Ethan refocused on loading their stuff and then got into the driver’s seat, starting the engine to slowly drive off. Over in the George Patton, Cassandra Taylor also started her engine right after, letting the car trail quietly behind the Range Rover. Her lips curled into a cold smile. Ethan noticed the SUV through the rear