Page 153 of Ravaged Soul

Minimising the video, Kade clicks on another file. It brings up an image of an old-style, manual voice recorder, the kind used by law enforcement for police interviews. Another subtle jab. Using the very tools of our trade against us.

Fastened to the worn plastic, a yellow note is scrawled in neat, elegant script. I’d recognise Gael’s handwriting anywhere. He signed enough shady contracts in my presence, convinced I’d never live long enough to rat on him if I escaped.

PLAY ME.

“He does love theatrics, doesn’t he?” Phoenix tsks.

Nodding, Kade loads a final file. “We’ve been sent the transcribed text.”

“Read it,” Warner requests.

“The message is graphic.” Kade looks up from his screen, gaze landing on me.

“Em?” Axel attempts to place a hand on me.

I duck out of his reach, needing personal space. The raging fire still plays against my eyeballs, wiping out all the evidence we need to bring the cartel down. All I can hope is that Gael emptied the holding cells before lighting the match.

“Read it.” I somehow locate a calm tone. “Please.”

“Very well.”

Kade opens a text file from his email, so at least I don’t have to endure hearing Gael’s voice again. Listening to his disgusting words read in Kade’s clipped, cool tone almost softens the blow.

“I gave you the chance to come home, 768. You disobeyed me. Humiliated me. Betrayed me. Your usefulness to this operation has expired.”

“Love.” Warner holds a hand towards me. “You don’t have to listen to this.”

“Yes, I do. Please continue, Kade.”

He clears his throat, disregarding Warner’s pinched eyes.

“There’s no deal left to be struck. I will show you no mercy. I’m coming for you, 768. I’ll kill everyone you love in front of you before I grant you the mercy of death. Starting withher.”

“Gracie,” I whimper.

Closing his laptop, Kade clenches his eyes shut. “It would appear that Gael’s patience for games has expired. The failed hit yesterday was his final attempt to get you back.”

“So what now?” Axel dares to question.

“His revenge.”

No one has another word to offer. Axel studies the closed laptop while Hyland massages his forehead. Blaine flexes his swelling fists, seeming to steel himself. Warner stares off out the window, contemplating the night sky like it holds some miracle.

I lick my lips. Preparing. Steeling. Resigning myself for what must be done. We don’t have time to chase a list of leads provided by the world’s criminal elite. Right now, we need fast results. Before this battle escalates into a full-scale war.

“Blaine.”

He looks at me, bloodied and slumping. “Yes, sweetheart?”

“Call The Hunter. Tell him we want to meet.”

CHAPTER 22

EMBER

ALL OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE MADE US DUMB – SOFIA ISELLA

It turns out,the Madden family empire holds even more secrets than any of us realised. There’s not just one warehouse that escaped Sabre’s excavation of their infrastructure but a whole host of off-the-record, abandoned haunts.