I just hope Knox or one of the guys is in range. Otherwise, this is all for nothing.
I click the radio.
Silence.
Fuck.
Again, nothing. Not even static.
“We’ll try again later.”I know where they probably went. Knox always sticks to the 72-hour fallback. We set that plan in place years ago; if we’re ever separated, we return to the same checkpoint and keep trying the radios until we get a ping. If one of us gets taken, the max wait time is seventy-two hours before rescue.
“Don’t try anything during the call, Dante. I’m not dumb,” Bryn snaps, eyes locked on mine like she’s daring me to test her.
“Where’s Roman?” I ask. I need to know where that fucker is slithering around.
“Placing traps with some of the men. He’ll be back before nightfall,” she answers casually. She doesn’t even realize how much she’s giving away.
A knock hits the door. Bryn moves to open it.
Sean steps in with clean bandages in hand.
“I need to change it,” he tells her. She nods and steps aside.
He sees the radio in my hand, smirks, but doesn’t say a damn thing. Just pulls my shirt off and gets to work.
The bandage stings less now. The pain’s dulled, but the fire’s still there, simmering, waiting.
“It’s looking good, son,” he murmurs gently. I nod. I should take him with me, but it’ll be hell just getting out alone. Still, Iwillcome back for him.
My eyes flick to Bryn. She’s pacing now, biting her nails like a cornered animal.
“Why are you so stressed?” I growl. She’s getting everything she wanted, right?
She freezes, then slowly lowers her hand, caught in the act.
“I need Aspen here. And Knox,” she cuts herself off, staring at the floor.
“Dead,” I finish for her.
Her gaze snaps to mine.
“You’re really gonna use Aspen to bait Knox. And then use them both to control Roman.” I shake my head, jaw clenched. My fists curl until Sean shifts beside me. A quiet shake of his head. I breathe. Unclench.
Bryn murmurs, “Aspen…” I thought if she was here, with me, with Roman, we could have something normal. A chance at… something.”
She trails off.
“But?” I press, suspicion cutting through me like a blade.
She lifts her eyes. “Just get her here, Dante. It’s better if she comes willingly… before Roman and his men hunt her down.”
“Bryn! Don’t fucking lie to me, or I will make sure the guys and Aspen disappear forever.” The rage simmers, and not even Sean moving breaks it.
“For fuck’s sake, Dante, Aspen is a vital piece, another woman to bargain with the men, to make them turn on Roman. You know how this goes!” She mocks.
This bitch. I knew she didn’t want Aspen to build the perfect community. She wants Aspen to trade her for power.
Sean finishes wrapping my shoulder.
