Jason sighs dramatically. “This doesn’t have to be messy, Mia. You give in now, and everyone stays safe. We go back to how things were. I take care of you, of the girls. No more running. No more men pretending they can protect you.”
A cold laugh bubbles out before I can stop it. “Protect me? You mean like how you protected those informants in Kandahar?”
The slap comes fast. My head snaps to the side, stars bursting in my vision. The metallic tang of blood blooms in my mouth.
Jason’s men shout from deeper in the woods. I’m not getting out of here. I just hope they don’t find the girls.
Jason’s head snaps toward me, eyes wild. “Where are the girls?”
I say nothing. I can’t. My heart pounds so loudly, I swear he can hear it.
“You want to make this hard?” His voice lowers, turns sharp. “Fine. I’ll leave them here for the bears. Or worse.”
Terror claws up my throat, and for the first time, my resolve wavers. “You wouldn’t,” I whisper, hating how fragile I sound.
Jason smirks, relishing my fear. “Try me.”
My body shakes as tears blur my vision. I want to believe he's bluffing, but I know Jason. His cruelty is measured, calculated. If he thinks it will break me, he'll do it. And I can’t let that happen.
A gunshot cracks through the trees.
Then another.
Jason’s head snaps up, his whole body going rigid. A second later, return fire erupts, cutting through the forest like a thunderstorm.
Someone is firing at Jason’s men.
The boys are here.
My breath stutters. Hope surges through my chest, nearly choking me.
Jason curses under his breath, jerking me up by my arm. His expression is pure rage now, lips curling in frustration. He didn’t expect them to get here so soon. He thought he had more time.
He yanks me close, his fingers digging painfully into my flesh. “Looks like your knights are here to play hero,” he sneers. “Let’s see how well they fight when I have you as a shield.”
He starts dragging me back toward the cabin. No. I can’t let him take me inside.
Panic flares in my chest, but I shove it down. Think, Mia. Think. I dig my heels into the dirt, twisting against his grip, but Jason is bigger, stronger. He shoves me forward, forcing me toward the clearing.
Gunfire intensifies. Shouts ring through the woods. My name… one of them is calling my name.
“You fucking bitch,” he hisses.
I laugh, breathless and shaking. Hope blooms inside me
“Did you really think they wouldn’t come?” I whisper, my voice trembling with something that feels a lot like victory.
Jason spits. “I knew they would come. Too bad they’re not getting out of here alive. And you’re going to be my perfect bait.”
Jason’s fingers tighten around my arm as he yells to his men. “Fall back! Get to the truck!”
I swallow down a sob. This is my chance.
I twist, kicking hard at Jason’s knee. He stumbles, cursing. I bolt.
Gunfire erupts around us. The trees blur as I run, lungs burning.
Then a familiar voice, rough and desperate.
