My hands clench uselessly at my sides. The urge to grab my gun from my back makes my blood boil—knowing it’s not there.
Rebel’s gaze drags over Charlotte, slow. Appraising. Vile.
Then Scar looks over at the other woman. “Didn’t expect you to betray us, Mistress,” Scar continues, glancing lazily at her. “Thought you came in highly recommended.”
“Speak for yourself,” I spit out, my voice rough but steady.
Scar chuckles, adjusting his grip on the gun. “You’re not looking too good, Ruin. Might want to lie down before you fall over.”
“I’ve been sitting on my ass, Scar,” I shoot back, teeth gritting. “Quite literally. I’m all rested up.”
His grin sharpens.
Rebel lets out a low laugh beside him. “You didn’t always bark this much, or is it because you’re about to bleed out?”
My vision flickers.
Charlotte shifts behind me, her grip tightening on my cut. The other woman shakes beside us, eyes darting frantically to find us a way out of this.
I don’t move. Don’t look back at Charlotte. Because if I do, I might break. And I don’t have that luxury right now.
Scar tilts his head, watching me closely. “You should’ve stayed down, brother. Would’ve saved you the embarrassment.”
Rebel chuckles darkly, looking at Scar. “Don’t kill him just yet, yeah? I want him awake when I go a round or two on Charlie.”
Rage coils tight in my chest.
But then I notice a lone figure just beyond the door they have their backs to. I know exactly who it is, so I force my face to stay blank.
“Oh, you should’ve heard her, Reb,” Scar adds casually. “She screams real pretty.”
That’s it.
I shift my head, subtle. Barely there.
A signal.
Behind them, the door inches open slowly, silently. But then it creaks, making me wince.
The man beside Scar stiffens, starting to turn—gun already rising. He doesn’t get the chance.
Spike puts a bullet clean through his head.
Everything detonates and I move.
I’m gambling on one thing—they need me and Charlotte alive. So I don’t hesitate.
I stride straight toward a distracted Scar. Beside me, Rebel spins toward the door, firing wildly as Spike ducks back. The shot cracks through the hallway, splintering what little silence remained.
Chaos erupts.
Spike disarms Rebel with a sharp, precise shot before lunging at him.
But none of it matters. Not anymore.
My world has already narrowed.
Sounds have dulled.
