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Chapter 28

Asher

We moved as one into the compound. It didn’t take long to find a group of guys and disable them. Only when they were rendered unconscious did we strip them of their clothes and weapons.

The black uniform with the angel wings crest and breast plate was uncomfortable. The one I put on was a size too small, the sleeves stopping just before they reached my wrists. The pants themselves ended above my ankles, and the stainless steel boots made my toes curl awkwardly.

Sarge unstrapped the rifle from the fallen soldier and slung it over his own shoulder.

Once more, we moved through the crowded halls.

It was surprisingly easy to blend in. In a compound this big, not one person knew every other person. So for a group of large guys to roam the halls, chins tilted upwards imperiously? It was just another day on the job for them. We received no second looks besides the initial passing glance. A nod here. A crude joke there.

Sarge played his part surprisingly well. Laughing when cued, smiling at the other men and women, walking with purposeful strides.

It also didn’t take long to find a man who knew about Addie.

“That sexy bitch?” he purred, palming his cock through his pants. I lunged forward immediately, Ronan’s hand on my shoulder the only thing holding me back. I hated the way this man, this stranger, talked about her. I knew my eyes had turned scarily cold.

A lot of people believed I was a psychopath. I knew that wasn’t true. But there were times I felt my grip on sanity loosening, unraveling. Those times were brief and far between, but I was terrified of the moment when the thread completely unraveled, revealing the broken man underneath. I was an enigma, I knew. I would give the shirt off my back for the people I cared about, but not hesitate to stab the people I hated. I blushed when I saw boobs, but laughed when face to face with a dead body. I hated cursing out loud, especially around Addie, but my thoughts were a chorus of “fucks” and “shits.”

“Where is she?” Sarge asked darkly. He took a menacing step closer, towering over the smaller man and looking intimidating as fuck.

The soldier’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Why do you want to know?”

One second we were standing in the hall, and the next we were in a tiny alcove. Fallon pressed his arm against the man’s neck, cutting off his air supply.

“Where is she?” His cadence changed. Gone was the smiling cadet roaming the halls, and in his place was a prowling tiger. The man was thirsty for blood, and soon, it would be difficult to differentiate between friend and foe.

“Fuck, man.” The soldier’s eyes were comically wide in his face. “Ground level. Room 214.”

Fallon released him as quickly as he grabbed him, and the man dropped to his knees, limp and pliable.

The man’s eyes wandered from Fallon to a radio on his belt buckle. The movement was almost imperceptible. If I hadn’t been looking intently, I would’ve missed it.

The second his fingers would’ve touched the radio, I lunged forward, hands wrapping around his neck. With one twist, his neck was snapped, and he fell to the ground, dead.

Kai gulped, glancing away with disgust, but the others didn’t even bat an eye. Doc actually smiled cruelly.

“Where are we now?” I asked Sarge, straightening. I stepped over the body without a backwards glance.

“Basement. We have to go up a floor,” Fallon growled. He leveled a stern, eloquent look at each one of us. “We only kill if necessary, but Addie is our priority, understand?”

Declan and Ronan nodded their heads decisively. Fallon didn’t even bother looking back at me. He knew I wouldn’t hesitate to kill if I had to. I wouldn’t shy away, hide behind the others, fear the throwback of a gun.

I did what I had to do.

* * *

Ryder

There was a lot you could do with a pretty face. A wink here. A sly smile there. A touch of the shoulder. I never went any further.

I was a changed man. Atakenman. Before, I would not hesitate to use my body to get what I wanted, to gather information. Twist and contort people to fit the mold I needed them in.

Everything changed after Adelaide came into my life. Kitten. I would never, not ever, do anything to hurt her.

When I entered the plant, the woman there had taken one look at me...and had swooned. Expectantly so. My hair may have been disheveled, dirt and soot might have covered my cheeks, but I knew I looked good. I told her my name was Darrin and that I was lost. I told her I stumbled upon this building with its bright lights and the few guards pacing the entrance.