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Cold, dark brown eyes—nothing like Tamsyn’s—gave Merrick the same critical assessment. They showed him the truth of the man standing before him—icy, ruthless, soulless. The eyes of a man who’d done something terrible like sell his soul to the devil, who perpetuated the rape and murder of young girls and women.

Who would have profited from the rape and murder of his own daughter.

Jedidiah’s head cocked. “Merrick Cole.”

His eyebrow lifted. Not once during their brief conversation had he given his name, which meant he wasn’t the only one wearing a comms device.

“You’re an interesting man, Mr. Cole. Secretive, private. I suppose you’ve learned, like we did, that broadcasting personal wealth brings scrutiny. It’s one of the reasons why our forefathers created the community.” Rubbing his thumb over flat lips, Jedidiah stared at him curiously. “Did my daughter tell you all our secrets?”

No beating around the bush, Merrick thought. Good. Holding his tongue, he just stared right back. Not with curiosity, not with any variation of it. All he felt was a growing desire to smash the bastard’s teeth down his throat and let him choke on them.

“Yes, I imagine she did. She always had a streak of rebellion in her that the others didn’t. Her mother was much the same way, trying to stretch the limits, break the chains. Never could wrap her mind around her reality.” Disgust tainted his voice. “Tamsyn is her mother’s double in too many ways. I couldn’t waste her on just anyone. She needs a strong, dominant man.”

“So you sold her to a man who beats, rapes, and chokes the life out of young girls.”

“You don’t understand our ways. Our—”

“I don’t give a fuck about your ways, Drake.”

“No? Oh, you poor fool. Have you fallen for her? Rescued her, taken her under your wing and shown her whatthe real worldlooks like?” The mockery in his voice was one thing; the scoff was another. “She isn’t of this world, Cole. She was born and bred in the community, raised with our values and principles, and she will return home to fulfill her duties. If you bring her to me now, there doesn’t have to be bloodshed.”

Merrick rolled his neck, stretching his shoulders. Before he could answer, Grit’s voice finally made an appearance.

“Beta team have breached the rock compound, Merrick. Minimal security and resistance so far. Our intel was correct; Drake brought the majority of his men with him.”

Of course he had. Cowards covered their own ass, and Jedidiah was king in that respect.

“You’re a wealthy man, you understand the benefits of an honest exchange.” Continuing to dig a nice hole for himself, Drake apparently didn’t know when to shut his mouth. “My daughter belongs with us, but for the right trade… let’s say the two point six million dollars in your bank account… I might be persuaded to cancel the current contract with her new husband’s name on it and write a new one with yours in his place. Come home with her, Merrick. Make the communityyourhome.”

Smirking, Merrick lifted a hand from his pocket to rub his jaw. “Yeah, about that. See, while you’ve been playing squirrel with women and resources, trying to track down the one who got away, we’ve been making plays of our own, Drake. Your world doesn’t exist anymore. Your home is gone. The men who’ve spent decades buying and trading young pussy to abuse, who’ve dedicated their lives to training and brainwashing the next generation, are dying as we stand here. Bleeding out all over the stone floor of that neat little cave system you’ve adapted into a refuge.”

Jedidiah’s color faded to gray before erupting into a fiery crimson. “Liar.”

“Personally, I’m hoping the rescue team cuts off a few wrinkled dicks and saggy balls before they put bullets in your friends’ heads.” He shrugged easily, the smirk growing into a smile. “Who knows, maybe some of those women you’ve spent years grooming will have the same spark as Tamsyn. Maybe they’ll be the ones who end the useless fuckers.”

“Enough! One more word and I’ll shut your mouth permanently.”

Merrick glanced down, somehow remaining calm when he saw the red dot hovering steadily over his heart. Well, if the end came, at least it was going to be a clean shot, he thought. Even as he drew breath to speak, Grit came back.

“Our sniper has his in his sights. Keep your nerve, Merrick.”

Lifting his gaze back to Jedidiah’s smug eyes, Merrick flicked his eyebrow up. “That’s a pretty red dot, Jed. The thing is, my guy, he doesn’t need pretty red dots to find his mark and hit it.”

Realization widened those evil eyes as a single shot rang out.

Jedidiah dropped like a stone.

The red dot vanished from Merrick’s chest.

“I’m gonna go out on a limb,” he said slowly, acting as though his knees weren’t about to buckle with relief, “and say you’re not the kind of guy who’d fall on his sword to protect his friends. Get up, you’re pathetic.”

On his knees, Jedidiah carefully lowered his arms from where they protected his head. Glowering at Merrick, he snarled, “The likes of you will never take us down. What we’ve built goes beyond you, beyond all. Decades of planning and execution to create the perfect utopia, and you think you can destroy it?”

From higher up the hill, a man screamed, sharp and swift.

The sound dragged icy fingernails down Merrick’s spine. “It’s already tumbling around you, Drake. Didn’t I warn you there were bigger monsters out here than you? Should’ve listened, should’ve taken your limp dick in hand and run.”

Jedidiah’s head tilted slightly, a slow and insidious smile curving his mouth.