“Try the radio again,” he says calmly.
I lift it and press the button.
“Reaper?”
Static.
“Grit?”
Fuck,
“Yeah, brother.” It goes through like a breath.
“Where are you?” He asks. I can hear it in his breathing; they’re moving fast. Something’s wrong.
“Base.” I answer, and Bryn draws her gun. Points it at me like this is just another negotiation.
“Aspen. And him. Now,” she barks.
I nod slowly, lifting the radio again.
“Listen, Knox,” I say. “I need you and Aspen to come to the base. They’ll spare Aspen if you come with the guys.”
Bryn can’t even hide the malicious smile tugging at her lips. I doubt she gives a fuck about Aspen right now. What she wants is power. Control. And if killing all of us makes her a goddess in Roman’s eyes? She’ll pull the damn trigger herself.
The silence stretches.
“Grit,” He knows me. Knows I’d never call them in unless I had a plan.
“Listen, brother… It’s likeSeraphim Red. You gotta quit.”
My eyes never leave Bryn. She frowns, confused. Sean steps in smoothly.
“It’s an old war movie. The team surrenders in the end,” he explains with such conviction I almost believe it myself.
Bryn nods slowly, then waves the gun again like she’s done playing nice.
“Just like it?” Knox presses through the radio.
“Just like it,” I confirm.
I glance at Bryn. “What time?”
She hesitates, thinking. Sean turns to her. “Maybe you should do it before Roman gets back,” he suggests. “With him here, you’ll lose control.”
Her eyes flick between us, calculating, suspicious. Then she nods.
“Before sunset,” she says coldly. She raises the gun again, pressing it against my forehead.
“Front door. Hands raised. No weapons. The three of them and Aspen in front.”
Of course. Putting Aspen right in the line of fire.
Fucking bitch.
I repeat the instructions to Knox. He confirms.
I turn the radio off.
