My phone buzzed again.
Another message.
I hesitated.
Then opened it.
Unknown number.
Just one line.
You should have taken the deal.
A chill ran down my spine.
I lifted my gaze to Ace.
“I think he’s done asking nicely,” I said.
Ace’s expression hardened.
“Good,” he replied.
My pulse jumped.
“Good?”
“Yeah,” he said. “Means he’s running out of options.”
I stared at him for a second.
Then—
Slowly—
I nodded.
Because I saw it now.
Felt it.
For the first time—
Daniel Reynolds wasn’t in control.
And I wasn’t the girl he could bury in a prison anymore.
25
Ace
Idon’t like patterns.
And right now, I’m seeing one.
Trigger’s at the window, still as stone. Blaze has three screens up, feeds rolling, maps updating. Beast is by the door, arms crossed, quiet but ready.
Tessa’s in the middle of it, making more flower bouquets.
