Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
The solid, wooden piece of furniture takes up most of the space in the rear of his office, and the chair my father sits in is like a throne. He thinks he’s a king, but he’s nothing more than a sinner trying to play God.
“No. Why don’t you tell me?” I ask him as I lean forward.
At eighteen, I’m stronger than I used to be. He can’t bully me anymore, and I know he hates it.
“You were born to be my apprentice. The moment you opened your eyes and looked up at me, I knew you’d become the head of the organization one day. You’re my heir.”
“What about Drake?” I ask, knowing I’d never let him choose my brother.
I’ll kill my father if he ever tries to get Drake to take over. When I’m in charge, I’m going to shut everything down. I’ll make sure the Savage legacy no longer exists.
“You know your brother isn’t strong enough.” Malcolm chuckles as if it’s the funniest thing. “He will be your second-in-command. You’ll need to make sure Drake and River take their places at the table, but you will be the ruler, son.”
When he called me son, I wanted to die. I wanted him to watch me take my life right there in his office. The thought of him seeing his favorite son bleed out on his pristine carpet was something I often considered.
Instead, I waited.
Like I’m doing now, watching the house where my girls are currently being held prisoner. My gut twists in anticipation as a message comes through on my phone from Falcon.
I open the plan of the mansion and surrounding area he’s sent me and scan the details. It’s a pretty straightforward layout, so now I know where the rooms are, I can focus on where the entry points to the property are.
There are guards stationed at the main entrance, but there are two other smaller gates at the back of the house. They could be our best option. I was hoping to sneak in alone and get the lay of the land, but when I read Falcon’s message, I know I’ll have to wait.
There are too many cameras for me to hack into and create an intermittent signal. Wait for us. You can’t rescue the girls on your own. They’ll be safe enough until we get there.
I’m not sure how he can be so sure, but I tamp down my fears. Falcon is right, I can’t do this alone. My thoughts turn to Rayne’s mother. I can’t believe I let her slip through my fingers. It’s clear she’s working with Bane because he helped her escape, but where is she now?
15
RAYNE
The cold cell is a stark reminder of my past life. Even if I close my eyes and imagine myself somewhere else, I can’t force the chill from my bones.
I don’t know where Harper is being held. They dragged me down here into the basement and locked me in this cell. There’s no ventilation, and the stench of torture and death hangs heavily in the air. I thought I’d escaped my past, but it’s still haunting me, and I’ve ended up back where I started. Dante saved me once, and all I can do is pray he can rescue me, and Harper, again.
I didn’t think I was strong enough to kill my mother, but after watching her with Bane and seeing her cold, emotionless eyes, I know I’ll be able to pull the trigger if I get the chance.
Coming face-to-face with the woman I hoped would love me and give me the answers I needed was like a slap in the face. She didn’t react when I was dragged into the house. She just turned away.
I thought my heart would break, but it didn’t. I’m surprised I didn’t fall to my knees and beg her to talk to me, but instead, I felt as indifferent as she was. I’m not sure what she wants from me, why she brought me here, but I pray I’ll be able to get out of this dank cell soon.
The mattress is lumpy, and I can feel the springs about to pop through the old, worn material. Maybe I can rip one out and use it as a weapon against the guards. Four of them brought me here, but I suspect they’re not the only ones, which means there are far too many for me to fight on my own.
Dante trained me. He showed me how to defend myself, but four, maybe more, burly guards will be an impossible feat. Maybe if Harper was in the cell with me, we could take a couple of them out, but more than that, I’m not so sure.
I don’t know how much time has passed since I was locked in this cell—hours maybe. I saw the guards use a taser on Dante as they dragged me out of our rental. I’m sure he’ll have realized what’s happened and started to make plans to rescue us.