“You told Roman that Knox cared about her too,” I say through gritted teeth, forcing myself to stay steady. “He’ll never let her havea real life. She’ll be nothing but a weapon until we’re all dead.”
“So surrender,” Bryn says, stepping closer.
“Call Knox over the radio. Tell him to give up. Or Roman will gather more men. He’ll hunt every last one of you down, including your precious Aspen. And if she dies…” She shrugs, casual, heartless. “That’s on you. I did what I could to keep her safe.”
She turns for the door, but just before she leaves, she throws one last blade over her shoulder.
“I like you, Dante,” she spits, full of something sick and cruel. “There’s something about you I can’t explain. But don’t you dare think for a second I won’t have you killed if you get in my way.”
She walks out, slamming the door behind her.
I stand there, breathing hard, my pulse pounding so loud it drowns out the silence.
That bitch is just like Roman. They only care as long as it fits their plans.
BrynneedsAspen because Aspen is the pawn that lets her dream survive.
And if Aspen has to bleed for it, Bryn will watch.
I sit down on the bed, dragging a hand across my wound, trying to massage the fire burning in my shoulder.
She wanted me to call Knox.
She wanted me to tell him to surrender.
But that’s when it hits me.
Wait.
That’s it.
That’s the fucking opening I need.
Aspen
Ilie in bed, heart pounding so loud it feels like it might crack open my ribs.
I know what needs to be done, even if the guys think I’m wrong. They’re not thinking clearly, not when it comes to me. Their feelings are clouding their judgment, and if they keep this up, it’s Dante who’s going to pay the price.
He was takenbecause of me.
Because he tried to protect me, tried to be the hero, and it almost got him killed.
Tears threaten, burning behind my eyes, but I blink them back. I won’t cry again. I’ve done enough of that.
Bryn keeps showing up in my dreams, her bloody body, the echo of that gunshot. That sound is stitched into my brain. It doesn’t fade.
I can’t lose him too. I won’t. Not him, not any of them.
I hear them in the living room, talking, planning. Knox is tense. The weight of all this is crushing him, even if he won’t admit it. His shoulders are tighter. His jaw never unclenches. His eyes are so tired.
None of them have slept.
Max and Ryker stayed awake all night, and they didn’t think I noticed, but I did.
They didn’t notice I didn’t sleep either.
There’s a radio in the other room. The one Max and Ryker were messing with last night. If I can get to it, I might be able to reach Roman.
