Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 99917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
I look at Lilian, seeing my own understanding reflected in her eyes. We’ve all been maneuvered into this position, manipulated by forces we’re only beginning to understand.
“Let her go,” I demand. “Then we’ll talk.”
“Actually,” the older man says, producing a knife to cut Lilian’s restraints, “your brother was quite insistent about that particular term. Miss Hayes goes with you. Immediately.”
The zip ties fall away, and Lilian rubs her wrists, relief evident on her face. She doesn’t move toward us, eyes darting between the suited men with obvious wariness.
“He negotiated for her release?” I ask, surprised despite myself.
“Your brother can be quite persuasive when properly motivated.” The older man’s smile makes my stomach churn. “He made it clear that Miss Hayes’s safety was nonnegotiable. That her continued captivity would interfere with his ability to focus on the task at hand.”
Another piece of evidence that Arson’s feelings for Lilian run deeper than I’d understood. He’d put her safety above his revenge, above everything he’s worked toward for years.
“Come on,” I say, extending my hand toward Lilian. “Let’s get you out of here.”
She takes my hand without hesitation, her fingers cold but steady. The contact sends a familiar jolt through me—the need to both protect and possess her all at once.
“Six days, eighteen hours,” the older man reminds us as we move toward the door. “We’ll be monitoring progress closely.”
“Just because Arson already agreed doesn’t mean we do. What if we refuse?” Drew asks. “We could just kill you right now.”
“Then Richard Hayes continues breathing, and a lot of innocent people don’t. Including all of us…you think I’d invite you here without a backup plan?” The threat is delivered with casual efficiency. “Now, I don’t think that further violence is necessary at this point. After all, we all want the same thing—justice for past wrongs. And definitely not to be blown to tiny bits by the bombs lining the exterior of this floor.”
I have Lilian tucked into my side by the time we reach the doorway. The older man makes no move to stop us, his confidence absolute.
“Oh, and Mr. Hayes?” he calls as we step into the hallway. “Your brother mentioned you might need additional…motivation. Rest assured, we have extensive files on everyone you care about. Miss Hayes is simply the most convenient pressure point.”
The casual mention of threats against others that I care about chills the blood in my veins. I could react, could retaliate, but there wouldn’t be any point. I have Lilian, and she’s safe between Drew and me while we put further distance between us and the men who think they can orchestrate our lives.
“We’ll be seeing you soon.” The older man smiles as we disappear out the door.
We don’t slow our pace until we’re near the building’s exit, and it’s only then that I feel like I can finally breathe.
“Drew has a safehouse,” I mutter to Lilian as we exit the building, stepping over the unconscious guards. “He says it’s secure.”
“For now,” Lilian says quietly. “None of us is truly safe until this is over. They’ll be waiting and watching until the last second.”
She’s right. We’re not free—we’re just playing by different rules in the same twisted game. The only benefit is that we’re at least together, the three of us against whatever Richard and these shadow backers have planned.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that whatever happens next, whatever price we’ll be forced to pay, it starts with keeping Lilian safe and figuring out how to turn this weeklong deadline into something we can survive.
FIVE
ARSON
The warehouse echoes with emptiness as I step inside, the heavy door slamming shut behind me with a finality that sets my teeth on edge. It was a haven, the place I planned my revenge, the first real space that felt like mine. Now it just feels...empty. My footsteps ricochet off concrete walls, mocking me with their solitary rhythm. No Lilian rushing to confront me. No captive brother breathing threats from behind reinforced glass.
Just silence. The absence of sound so fucking loud it makes my skin crawl.
I move through the space like a ghost, past the security monitors still displaying the outside feed from the building where Lilian is being held. Where my brother and his dick friend are mounting a rescue as we speak.
If Drew betrays us—betrays her—I’ll gut him with my bare hands. Slowly. Make him feel every second of it. The thought does nothing to calm the storm brewing beneath my skin. I never should have agreed to this arrangement. Never should have left her fate in someone else’s hands. But Richard’s call left no room for alternatives—not if I want to maintain my cover, to finish what I started.
Not if I want to save Lilian.
I strip off my clothes with vicious efficiency, dropping them in a careless heap on the warehouse floor. The shower is quick, functional—just enough to wash away the grime of planning and arguing and to reset myself into the role I’ve been playing for months.