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She had believed me, for I played my part as one would play a guitar.

Her hand had rested on my shoulder, my arm, my stomach, and each time, I had to physically stop myself from flinching. Wincing. Despite the fact it didn’t go any further, it felt like a betrayal, and I hated myself.

But no. I knew the gain outweighed the loss. Allowing this woman to touch me was just one step closer to getting Addie back.

Of course, the woman didn’t expect me to blow up the building.

A grim smile lit up my face as I wandered across the woodsy path bogged down with weeds. Behind me, flames licked at the building, a kaleidoscope of reds and oranges and even a deep blue.

I allowed the woman to live, obviously. I wasn’t a monster, but I made it quite clear she should run as fast and as far as she could. My leniency and compassion only extended so far.

With a swagger to my step, I stopped beside Tamson who was huddled behind a bush, facing the compound. Now that I had destroyed the initial source of power, the immense building had to rely on a generator. At least, that was what Fallon remembered from his time as a cadet and trainer. The front entrance was in similar disarray to how I had left the plant.

Tamson had expertly deployed his bomb right at the front entrance, between the two guard towers made up of roughly hewn logs. The men and women were running, searching, hunting, their guns raised.

But Tamson was fast. He had always relied on his body more than other things. While the guards and soldiers went in one direction, chasing after the supposed bomber, Tamson stealthily ran in the opposite direction. His light footsteps barely broke any twigs or leaves. Barely left an indent in the forest floor.

No one would know to go after him, especially after he left a noticeable trail in the opposite direction minutes before the explosion.

“They’re in there right now,” I said, scanning the silver building with a curled lip. “They” were my brothers and Kai and Doc. I was furious, livid almost, when the guys instructed me to go to the plant and shut off the power. I felt as if my skills could be used elsewhere...particularly saving my Kitten. But Fallon had a point. I was a skilled engineer. A skilled charmer. A skilled...bomber?

Damn. That made me sound crazy.

Either way, it was done.

“Do you think they’re okay?” I continued, but what I really wanted to ask was, “Do you thinkshe’sokay?”

Tamson didn’t answer, eyes fixated straight ahead. After a moment, he glanced at me and rose from his crouch. I followed him mechanically, my body moving while my mind wandered.

I was always the optimist of the family. It was my job, the one thing I was good at besides fucking answers out of females. But now, I didn’t feel optimistic. Not one fucking bit. I saw the worm enter her bloodstream, watched the light flee her eyes as terror replaced it. The damn girl knew she was going to die. Knew...and accepted it.

My heart beat something fierce in my chest.

Fucking, dammit. I couldn’t lose Kitten. Not now. Not after everything we had been through.

On silent feet, Tamson led us to the back gate where Ragers swarmed. Some of them were attacking one another, their hideous faces appearing almost deteriorated in the waning sunlight. Over two dozen were lying on the cement, dead. Black blood puddled around their bodies.

“How do you feel about giving them an upperhand?” Tam asked softly.

“What do you propose?” I raised a brow, and in answer, Tam held up the remaining grenade. The bastard held it without care, without fear, without any self-preservation. Crazy son of a bitch.

A cruel grin curved my lips upwards.

“What if this backfires?” I questioned, shocking the shit out of myself by being the voice of reason. “What if it harms our guys?” And our girl.

“Oh please.” Tamson snorted. “They took out over thirty Ragers while a hundred more looked on. This will serve more as a distraction than anything else. Something for the soldiers to focus their guns on.”

My smile widened, knowing he was right and feeling a sick sort of vengeance and satisfaction.

I released an admittedly deranged laugh.

“For Addie?” I asked.

“For Addie,” he agreed with a decisive head bob.

He smiled darkly before expertly throwing the grenade at the gate. It took only a moment for it to explode like a red hot firework.

A gaping hole in the fence remained.

A gaping hole that the Ragers were running through.

Tam and I exchanged another cruel smile.

Fallon wanted chaos...and chaos he got.