THE ART OF DECEPTION

o keep her safe. As they walked, Max seemed to sense her unease. He reached out and took her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. "We're almost there," he said, his voice low a

small kitchenette. It was sparse and functional, but it looked safe. Lena felt a wave of relief wash over her as she realized that they were finally safe. She collapsed onto the bed, exhausted and shaken. Max sat down beside her, his eyes locked on hers. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and concerned. Lena nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Max. "Thanks to you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Max smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're safe now," he said. "You're protected." As he spoke, Lena felt a sense of trust wash over her. She knew that Max would do everything in his power to keep her safe, to protect her from the dangers that lurked in the shadows. But as she looked into