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A muffled sob comes from the corner, shaky and scared. Each sound hits me hard, pushing me to bring her home safely and finally make Micah Rhodes pay for all the pain he’s caused.
Adrenaline sharpens my senses. One wrong move could ruin everything. I grip my weapon tighter, ready for the showdown just ahead.
I click on my tactical flashlight, and it cuts through the darkness, lighting up the space as we reach the end of the hallway. The room feels large but somehow cramped because of the low ceiling. I scan the room slowly, each second dragging on, until I finally spot a figure huddled against the far wall.
Mia is curled up, knees pulled to her chest, her wide eyes filled with fear. She’s trembling under my gaze, her dark hair a mess around her pale, scared face. She sits in her bra and panties, and she’s filthy. My breath catches when I realize how similar she looks to Harper—those same striking blue eyes full of fear, the same delicate features. I vaguely remember meeting her a few years ago.
For a moment, I freeze, caught between the present and memories of Harper’s own fear. A wave of anger rises in me; protectiveness grips my chest.
I relax my stance, lowering my gun. “Mia,” I say, my voice calm, crouching down to her eye level. “I’m Billie’s cousin. We came to save you.”
She flinches at first, pressing back against the cold wall, her eyes darting to Asher and Nick, who are just out of the flashlight’s beam. Her breathing picks up, fear spiking, but she stays quiet, trying to trust me.
“It’s okay,” I assure her, keeping my tone steady and soothing even though my muscles are tense. “Come with us. We’re getting you out of here. Micah can’t hurt you anymore.”
At the mention of Micah, she shudders, shaking her head, tears slipping silently down her cheeks. Her voice breaks into a small, barely audible whisper. “He said no one would ever find me …”
“We did,” I say, holding out my hand. “I know you’re scared, but you’ve got to trust me. Can you do that?”
She studies my face, looking for some reassurance. After a tense moment, she finally gives a small, unsure nod. A wave of relief hits me, and I extend my hand, palm up.
“I’m going to help you up,” I tell her, keeping my voice gentle, not wanting to overwhelm her fragile trust. “Stay close.”
Mia’s shaking hand reaches out to mine, fingers cold as they brush against my palm. I grab her hand, helping her to her feet. She sways a bit, her legs shaky, and I steady her, trying to keep her out of sight as much as I can.
Her eyes lock on to mine, wide and vulnerable, wearing the same expression Harper had when I rescued her. It brings me back, and anger nearly blinds me.
I glance at Nick and Asher, giving them a quick signal. They’re still by the hallway, weapons drawn, eyes sharp. Their tension matches mine, confirming we’re all in this together.
For a moment, it’s quiet around us.
Mia reaches for my hand, and I let myself feel a sliver of hope.
Maybe, just maybe, we can all get out of here safely.
30
BRODY
Adrenaline surges, razor-sharp and cold, as Mia takes a trembling step toward me. Relief softens her terrified features for an instant, then shatters like glass as a dark figure explodes from the shadows in the corner.
Micah lunges forward, grabbing Mia roughly by the arm. She cries out, a high, panicked sound that echoes painfully in my chest. Before I can react, Micah yanks her against his chest, pressing a gleaming blade to her throat. My pulse spikes, fingers tightening around my weapon as anger and dread clash inside me.
“Back off!” Micah’s voice is harsh, his eyes unhinged. “One step closer, and she dies!”
Mia’s wide blue eyes meet mine; sheer terror is etched into her face. My stomach twists painfully as the haunting resemblance to Harper floods my vision. For one paralyzing moment, I see Harper’s face—her fear, her vulnerability when I rescued her from this fucking monster. Rage rises, and it’s white hot, threatening to consume every shred of reason I have.
I swallow hard, forcing my voice into a calm, steady tone. “Micah, let her go. She’s got nothing to do with this.”
He laughs, the sound bitter, broken. “Nothing to do with it? She’s everything to do with it. She’s here because of you—because of Harper and Billie.”
“This won’t fix anything,” I say, cautiously lowering my gun in a deliberate motion, maintaining eye contact. I raise my other hand, palm open, showing my cooperation. “Let her go, Micah. She’s innocent. Your fight’s with me.”
Micah’s jaw clenches, his grip tightening around Mia, making her whimper. Every muscle in my body screams to intervene, to protect her, to end this swiftly and violently. But I hold myself back, knowing any sudden move could be catastrophic.
“Harper ruined my life,” Micah snarls, the blade trembling dangerously close to Mia’s delicate skin. “And you … you destroyed and took everything I had left. You took it all, Calloway.”
“Then take it out on me,” I urge, stepping forward, every movement careful, measured. “You’ve got me. Let her walk away, and I’ll do whatever you want.”