Episode 33

Hans’s voice, usually so steady, carried a tremor of something unreadable. He met Sadie’s gaze, his own a stormy sea of unspoken thoughts. "Sadie," he began, the name a soft sigh, "what would you think if I dropped you off in Izmir while I handle my business dealings in Istanbul? There are many bazaars there, and so much to see. I will meet you there in forty-eight hours." The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. He wasn't just suggesting a detour; he was creating a buffer, a safe harbor for her while he plunged back into the treacherous waters that had brought them to this exotic corner of the world. He saw the flicker of confusion in her eyes, then a dawning understanding, and perhaps, a touch of hurt. The unspoken question was clear: *why?* And the answer, though he couldn't voice it, was a desperate, protective instinct, a fear that the shadows he courted were too dangerous for her to linger in any longer than absolutely necessary.