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My eyes pop open at Ghost's words, a deep frown etching across my face. How did he know?—

“Ghost, Ghost as in like Wyck, like as in Reed's best friend?”

“No one calls me that anymore. It's Ghost.”

I nod, my brain struggling to process everything that’s happening. Wyck, aka Ghost, is Reed’s best friend, the friend that he thought he lost. What a small fucking world. Too small.

“And Reed’s on that island?” Mallory asks.

“I mean, I can’t say for sure, but I know it was my father’s men. The only place they would take him is to the island. He has to be there; he has to be.”

“Alright, then let’s make a plan.” Rue slams her hands down, peeking up at Ghost.

“We’ll get him back.” Ghost gives me a curt nod. And for some reason I trust him.

CHAPTER47

Reed

Constant noise rings out above my head. Heaviness weighs down against me. I try to think, trying to remember what happened, but nothing beats the fire burning through my veins.

Pain, an absolute, all-consuming pain, drowns out most other sensations. Fire licks at my flesh, searing deep in my muscles. I feel my skin sloughing away in melted sheets.

Every nerve screams at me—torment, raw and exposed. It’s unbearable. The air itself claws at me, jagged glass ripping my insides apart.

I can’t take it anymore.

I’ve never felt this amount of pain before. It devours me, stretching each second into an eternity. It’s cruel and unforgiving.

I attempt to open my eyes, but even the smallest movement feels like a hot poker stick is being shoved under my skin.

Voices whisper around me, but I can’t make out what they’re saying. Not when every breath feels like a battle, a single movement bringing a wave of torment. My skin feels too tight, too fragile—being split into two.

No relief comes, no escape; it’s endless and unbearable. It’s consuming me, and I’m not even sure where it starts or where the pain ends.

The world outside blurs as a single touch has me screaming in pain.

My body forgets how to function; the air in my lungs gets trapped. Like a vice tightening around my ribs, breathing becomes impossible. My vision tunnels, dark edges creeping along as another wave of fire burns through my veins. I’m stuck on the edge of oblivion, teetering between the immense amount of pain and falling into the darkness.

It’s never-ending.

CHAPTER48

Mallory

WRITTEN BY LORALAI BLAKE

These bitches seriously put me in charge of distracting the guard at the gate. I am not sure if they’re stupid or actual geniuses. Maverick thinks they’re all off their rocker to let me do this, but he’s just jealous—I know I will reap the benefits of that later.

We ended up stopping at some middle-of-nowhere clothing store where Rue found the perfect slutty dress for the occasion. It’s a flashy, backless, silver mini dress with a deep V in the front. Maverick insisted on putting enough boobie tape on me that I resemble a kindergarten art project when I’m naked.

Noah managed to find some sky-high death traps to adorn my feet. I wobble on them as I walk down the steps to the RV, tugging the hem of my dress down my thighs and frowning when it just tugs down on my chest more, making my cleavage dangerously on display. One wrong move and I will be flashing the world my tits, and I know Mav will go on a rampage over that.

“Hot damn, girl!” Noah whistles at me, fanning his face with his hand. Rue’s eyes just about bug out of her head when she sees me; both of their reactions drag a laugh out of me.

“I did not realize how short that dress was actually going to be on you. We might as well have just gotten you a tank top to wear.” Rue grumbles, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I am sure itcouldget shorter, so let’s not jinx it, yeah? I already feel naked as it is.” To emphasize my statement, I do a little twirl and just about trip over my feet in the process.