Page 195 of Ravaged Soul

Gael lingers in the doorway while I limp inside, crouching down to rest a hand over his heart. The beating is present but uneven. A quick peek under his ruined shirt reveals blood spots soaking the bandage wound around his abdomen.

“Axel.” I carefully touch his cheek. “Wake up, Ax.”

Not a peep.

“You were right. We should’ve all stayed together. In the future, I promise to keep my mouth shut and never question your decision making.”

The smile I long for doesn’t appear.

“Gunnar could’ve let you die. I don’t know why he saved your life, but I’m thankful. I thought I’d lost you, and I couldn’t bear to see a world without you in it, Axel Slaughter.”

Lowering my head, I press it into his clavicle, needing to hear his breathing for just a moment longer. My hand inches over his still-sticky shirt, brushing across bandaging and cold skin.Feeling around his waistband, I press the slight bump in the fabric.

Bingo.

“Ax, if I don’t survive this… save her. Save Gracie.”

Leaving the man I love behind devastates a part of me that won’t ever click back into place. Pain swims through every brain cell, causing my eyes to sear. I avoid looking at Gael while he re-locks the cage then spares Gracie one last look.

“Until next time, 777.”

“Ember!” Her wails pierce my heart. “Stop! No!”

I keep my teeth clenched to hold myself back. Tears flood my cheeks at the look of complete devastation on her face, sending me catapulting back into the past. Only this time, I’m choosing to walk away.

“Go ahead, 768.” Gael gestures for me to lead. “I’ll be right behind you.”

I’m unsurprised by the feel of a cold barrel nudging into my lower back. His trust only extends so far. Leaving the room filled with the sound of Gracie’s screams shatters me, making each step unbearable.

On the other side of the door, I almost laugh at what awaits. We’re in a closed restaurant. If I had to guess, Nolan had the cages installed in some kind of storage room. We emerge from behind a wooden bar into the main serving floor.

Only one chair is occupied. A single, solitary shadow. Even with his brown hair and lack of tattoos, my broken heart splits into another dozen pieces. Gunnar looks far too much like the lifeless body I left behind.

“Where is Nolan?” Gael barks.

Shrugging, Gunnar rises to stand. “Gone.”

“What?” He jerks in shock. “Gone where?”

“I don’t know.”

“What does that mean, Hunter? Explain yourself.”

“He left. I didn’t care to ask where he was going.”

In a string of colourful Spanish, Gael shoves me forward with his gun. “I don’t have time to waste. Your payment is downstairs. Leave the girl for Nolan to deal with when he returns.”

Two glowing, sunshine-bright eyes find mine. Flickering with life. Grief. A hint of regret. It’s like watching a tide sweep in to erase the shoreline and each disturbed grain of sand. Wiping at his drawn face, Gunnar physically shoves the feelings down to reveal a stoic expression.

“Your brother’s going to die,” I announce, holding his stare. “Why did you bother to save him? To prolong his agony? Or did you realise how it would feel to watch him die?”

His Adam’s apple bobs without a word.

“You can’t do it, Gunnar. You won’t kill him.”

“Enough, 768.” Gael pushes me harder. “We’re out of time.”

“His mother told him to run, but he didn’t do it!” I shout in desperation. “He told us the truth and agreed to meet you. Axel never gave up on you, and you’re a fucking coward for giving up on him!”