And thensold her soul.
Herfather.
“It’s him,” I said, my voice flat. “He took her.”
Adonis looked at me. “You’re sure?”
“I’d know that bastard anywhere.”
Liam’s jaw tightened. “Then we hit every black site we know he’s used. Hard. Quiet.”
Adonis nodded. “We move now.”
As they gathered gear, I stood still for a moment, staring at the frozen frame of her face as she was taken. Rain streaked down her skin. Her eyes—one blue, one green—wide with terror.
And I felt it.
That deep, lethal stillness. The one I hadn’t felt in years.
“She trusted me,” I whispered to no one. “I told her she was safe. And now…”
Liam turned. “Noah—”
I shook my head, eyes burning.
“If she’s hurt…”
I swallowed hard, fists trembling at my sides.
“If even ascratchis on her, God help them all.”
Adonis met my gaze.
“Because we won’t.”
And just like that, we left the room.
Hearts set. Weapons loaded. No mercy left.
They took what was mine, and so help me god I will get her back.
Elizabeth
The first thing I felt was cold.
Not just the kind that brushed your skin — but the kind that seeped into your bones, your blood, the kind that made you rememberyou were no longer safe.
I blinked hard, my vision swimming as flickering light came into focus. Harsh fluorescents. Cement walls. Metal table.
Restraints.
My arms were strapped down at the wrists with surgical leather. My ankles too. I was still in my gown— soaked through, sticking to me like a second skin. My mask was gone, my hair matted to my cheek.
I could barely lift my head before I heard it — the soft, clinical beeping of machines. The clink of metal. The low hum of something familiar. I knew that sound.
A needle.
And then—his voice.
