Nothing.
“What the… why didn’t it detonate?” Rufus demanded.
We both searched the room. At the same time, our eyes landed on Christophe, in the corner, holding up a black device.
“It’s over,” he said.
I let out a sigh of relief.
“No!” Rufus shouted. “You detonate that bomb right now, or I’ll kill him, and then I’ll go up to that bitch—” That was the final part of Rufus’s threat that he managed to get out.
I spun, grabbing his hand with the gun first and breaking his wrist. He howled in pain as the weapon dropped to the floor.
“You have to go get Reese,” Christophe said, grabbing my shoulder. “I’ll take care of him.” He stood with the gun trained on Rufus.
I hesitated, not knowing if I could trust him.
“Go. I’ll take care of him.”
I glared at him before taking off for the stairs that led to the balcony. I made it up there in less than a minute.
“Chael,” Reese called. “My wrists are burning.”
I took one step in her direction before a shot fired beneath us. I peered over the railing. “Christophe?” I called.
Nothing.
“Christophe,” Reese yelled.
I didn’t wait for another second, running to her to untie her. “Ah, shit,” I grumbled when the silver burned my bare hands.
“Chael, be careful. It’s silver,” she said when I reached for the handcuffs again.
“Are you alright?” I cupped her face.
She nodded.
I placed my forehead against hers.
“You came for me,”she said through our telepathic connection.
“I’ll always choose you.”
When I pulled back, Reese’s eyes widened. “Rufus,” she yelled.
I turned just in time to see Rufus aiming at me. With lightning speed, I leaped at him, grabbing his arm and sending it upward. The shot he fired released into the ceiling. He twisted his body away, breaking free from my grasp and dropping the gun to the floor.
Reese screamed behind me.
I went to spin him around to punch him, but then blinding pain scorched its way through my body. I peered down to see the knife’s wooden handle sticking out of my side.
“Fuck you,” Rufus said, blood spilling out of his mouth. “I will kill you and your pack. The Alliance is mine to rule.” He stumbled toward where the gun fell.
With every ounce of strength I had, I wrapped my hand around the knife and pulled the blade out. The pain of the blade coming out was worse than the stabbing. But I didn’t dwell on it.
After dropping the knife to the floor, I charged at Rufus and wrapped my arms around his neck. I wrenched his head and body in opposite directions, breaking his neck. His body went slack.
As soon as I let him go, he dropped to the floor, eyes wide but unseeing. That wasn’t enough for me.
