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Then that wink. That horrible, mocking wink right into the lens. He knew I’d track the feed. He wanted me to watch him take the only piece of my life that wasn't covered in blood. The only thing keeping me afloat. The only family I have left.

A ragged, trembling breath escaped my lips, fogging the glass in front of me. I don’t bother to wipe it away. To keep myself sane, I focus on a tiny little droplet of water that’s sliding away from my window. It’s funny how something so small can reflect how I’m feeling. It’s slipping away, just like my hope that Emin will come out of this unscathed.

Please, I think, a desperate, pathetic plea directed at fucking nobody because I have nobody.

Just bring him back. Take me instead. Do whatever you want to me, just let him go.

I know what Noa is capable of, and the absolute ice that’s running through his veins. My hands begin to shake against the glass. I am a woman used to having answers, used to fighting my way out of corners, but right now, I have no cards left to play. The mercy I am longing for is in the hands of the man that’s trying to kill me.

The light in the sky changes and night settles upon us.

Fuck, I have been staring out of this window for the entire day.

“He is here!” someone shouts into my study as they barge in, and my heart leaps.

I turn around and see Marian standing there, urging me to come outside.

“I want five guards with me at the gate, and I want you to open it at my signal. Got it?”

“Got it. Delta seven-O touching with Outer Perimeter.” Marian talks into his walkie-talkie.

“Delta nine-seven speaking.”

“I want you and four other guards at the gate. Immediately. Emin is being brought here.”

“Outer Perimeter going there now. See you in two.”

I grab a rifle on my way out, and I don’t care that I’m getting soaked by the rain.

I’m sure that my breathing can be heard from behind the gate, but I don’t give a shit.

“Open the gate.” Right on time, the gate opens.

Through the heavy downpour and the dark silhouette of the trees, a pair of headlights cut through the gloom.

Chapter twenty-one

Noa

Igo upstairs and greet my team with a grin, but they don’t return it.

Okay, I guess.

I make myself a cup of coffee and sit by the window. It’s really raining right now, and the heavy downpour is indicating a storm is coming.

“Noa, are we not going to talk about your guest downstairs?” Adam asks me as he takes a seat opposite me.

“What about him?”

“You locked him in the anechoic room, asshole. How long do you plan on keeping him there?”

“I think about an hour. It’ll teach him and Lana.” I say matter-of-factly.

“And what do you plan on doing afterward? Hmm? Making him a cup of tea? Killing Lana in her sleep?” I cock my head to the side and nod slowly. That’s actually not a terrible idea.

“It fucking is! Are you fucking crazy?” Shit. I didn’t realize I was talking out loud.

I wave Adam off. “It’s a good proposition. But, no, I want to see the light leave her eyes.”