Page 86 of Trapped Truth

And labelled.

Anaconda Team, Sabre Security.

Come claim your prize.

Upon Hudson growling a command to open the folder up, Archer uses a gloved hand to flip open the glossy manila. There are no more notes inside. Words aren’t needed to communicate this message. It’s clear enough.

Pure, unfiltered rage scorches across my chest, causing my teeth to bare. I’m not the only one tensing up with the sole intent to attack. Only we can’t decimate pixels on a screen. Nor can we erase the image of multiple wide-angle photograph shots denoting Nolan Madden’s power.

“Blaine.” Inhumanly low-pitched, Hyland unclenches his grip on me. “Please take her.”

He doesn’t offer a single word of protest, flashing to Hyland’s side and pulling me into his arms. A look at our enforcer’s darkening expression says it all. The apocalypse is unfolding on his face, contorting the tanned skin and smile lines I love so dearly into a twisted caricature.

“Is that…?” Axel trails off.

“Yes.” Warner’s tone is completely vacant.

“How did he find them?”

Seismic booms cross the floor, carrying Hyland closer to the first laptop. “That’s exactly what I need to know.”

The sight on screen is fucking harrowing. Nothing can deny the stack of photographs that capture Hyland’s ex-wife and child in full, HD-quality detail. Luke leaving school. Jayce pushing a wooly hat on his head. Their modest family house. Even shots through the curtains inside their home.

Clearing his throat, Archer stacks the photographs then sets them aside. “That’s not all.”

I’m not sure I can get any woozier. My heart is tattooing itself to the inside of my flesh, one stomach-turning slam at a time. Then the images of Gracie are unveiled, and that bloodless organ crashes into the pit of my stomach.

“No.” Horrified, my voice is barely a whisper.

“What the fuck?” Hudson forms two threatening fists. “She has Sabre protection on detail.”

“Yet she’s been found.” Kade grips the back of his neck.

“How?”

“I don’t know, brother. But I’m going to find out.”

None of us can delay the impact of the train running out of control on its tracks towards us. Hyland’s family, threatened. Gracie, found and targeted. Her safe haven singled out after all she’s been through. One by one, Madden is vying to pick off the people we hold dear.

“This can’t be happening.” My voice trembles.

Compact muscle bunches around me, scented with peppercorns and bergamot. Blaine’s scarred face has drained of all colour, turning the deep slash down his cheek a vivid shade of dark purple.

“It’s happening.” His nostrils flare. “And my father won’t stop until he’s killed them all.”

CHAPTER 15

EMBER

CAN’T LET GO, JUNO - KISHI BASHI

The helicopter ride to a local landing pad a short drive from Gracie’s safe house isn’t enough time to gain my composure. I have to plaster on a brave face. She must be petrified, her family too. I heard her two sisters were inconsolable when they were sent to stay with relatives.

Right now, separating them from Gracie is the safest option. Nolan Madden isn’t just threatening us. Sabre. Our team. He’s targeting those we love, the people we’ve vowed to protect. That crosses a line not even I can tolerate. He’ll fucking burn for it.

“We’re two minutes out.” Phone to his ear, Warner studies the road. “Are Jayce and Luke secure?”

The deep rumble of Hyland’s voice echoes down the line.