Page 33

THIRTY-THREE

Ember

Minutes blur into hours, the room growing colder as I wait, calculating, biding my time. The dull ache in my ribs and the bitter taste of blood fuel the rage simmering beneath the surface.

I keep my face blank, my breathing controlled. Patience is a weapon, and right now, I’m sharpening mine.

Soft Eyes returns with water. His gaze skitters away when he catches me watching him—uncertain, wary. Perfect.

“Please,” I whisper, letting my voice crack, sounding fragile. “I need to speak with him.”

“Can’t.” Soft Eyes puts the water down, careful to stay out of reach. “Boss’s orders.”

I kick away from the wall, swaying slightly. Make it real. Make it convincing. “Tell him… Tell him I’m ready to talk.”

Soft Eyes shifts his weight, uncertainty written in every movement. “He said not to?—”

“You know what he’ll do if he finds out I’m ready to talk, and you kept it from him?” I press, watching fear flicker in his eyes. “That I tried to cooperate, and you stopped me?”

A bead of sweat rolls down his temple. The seeds of doubt take root.

“Just tell him,” I add, softening my tone, making it almost pleading. “What’s the harm in passing a message?”

He hesitates, his hand straying to his radio. I hold my breath, every muscle tensed despite my act of weakness.

“Fine.” He backs toward the door. “But if this is a trick?—”

“No tricks.” I slump against the wall, the image of defeat. “I’m done fighting.”

The door clicks shut. Through the walls, I hear his radio crackle to life. My heart pounds as I wait, each second an eternity.

Come on, I silently plead. Take the bait.

Footsteps approach. Multiple sets. Heavy and purposeful.

The door swings open.

Wolfe enters like he owns the air itself, flanked by two guards. His suit jacket is gone, sleeves rolled up. His presence is suffocating, an aura of menace that seems to sap the oxygen from the room.

The bruises on my face throb in time with my racing pulse, each beat a reminder of the danger before me.

“I hear you’re feeling—cooperative.” His voice is a silk-covered blade, suspicion lacing the amusement, the words cutting deeper than any weapon.

I force myself upright, ignoring the sharp protests of my broken ribs. “I want to talk.”

“About?”

“You said what matters is my future. What did you mean?”

“What do you think I meant?” Interest flickers in his winter-gray eyes, cold and calculating.

“You want me, but why? And to do what?”

“Yes, I do, my little flame. I want you very much.” His smile is cruel, a predator’s satisfaction in seeing his prey cornered.

“Blaze walks.” My voice doesn’t waver. “Free and clear. No pursuit, no revenge.”

“Bargaining with the devil?” His lips curl into a mocking smile, teeth glinting in the dim light. “Is that all you want? Not your freedom?”

“We both know that was never an option.” I meet his gaze steadily, letting him see the resignation he expects.

Wolfe circles me, his cologne overpowering in the tight space. The sweet, cloying stench turns my stomach. He revels in the power imbalance, his control over the space and over me.

“You will be the perfect soldier, forged in fire and hardened by pain. My crowning achievement.” His fingers ghost over my shoulder, the light touch making my skin crawl, the promise of pain lingering beneath. “But why should I believe you’ll trade your life for his?”

I turn to face him, letting him see the darkness I usually hide. The ruthless survivor.

“The streets, the system—they made me hard. Made me dangerous.” My lips twist in a bitter smile. “You said it yourself. I was forged in fire. Pain is nothing new.”

“And Blaze?” Wolfe’s eyes narrow, calculating, the amusement fading to cold scrutiny. “You’d sacrifice your—attachment?”

“Attachment is weakness,” I echo his words, cold and devoid of emotion. “You taught me that, even if I didn’t want to learn.”

Silence stretches between us, taut as a tripwire, the tension thick enough to choke on. Wolfe’s gaze pierces mine, searching for deception or any hint of rebellion.

I don’t blink. Don’t flinch. I let him see exactly what he wants.

Absolute defeat.

“If I accept…” he says, each word deliberate, a test. “There’s no going back. No second chances. One hint of betrayal?—”

“And you’ll kill him.” I nod, resolute. “I know.”

Wolfe reaches out, his fingers gripping my chin, the touch possessive and triumphant, as if he already owns me. His grip tightens, his nails biting into my skin.

“Say it. Tell me what you are.” His voice is a low, dangerous whisper, inches from my face. His eyes bore into mine, cold and expectant.

I swallow hard, tasting blood, forcing the words out. “How do I know you’ll keep your word?”

“Because I reward loyalty.” Wolfe extends his hand, his nails gleaming, immaculate despite the blood on his sleeves.

“What do you say, little flame?” His fingers tighten on my chin, his pupils dark and unyielding, a twisted satisfaction in his gaze. “Ready to come home? Ready to save the man you love?”

Love.

The word hits like a physical blow, knocking the breath from my lungs. Is that what this is? This desperate, aching need to protect him at any cost?

Another scream echoes from the phone in Wolfe’s pocket, muffled but unmistakable.

Blaze’s pain.

Time’s running out.

“Tick tock.” Wolfe’s voice is ice now, cold and relentless. “His life or your freedom. Choose.”

Some choices aren’t choices at all.

Some sacrifices are worth any price.

“Then I’m yours.” I lean into his grip, letting the ice replace the fire in my veins, the numbness settling deep. “Your perfect achievement.”

His smile spreads slowly, like a predator savoring its kill. “Well then, little flame.” He releases my chin, his fingers trailing away, leaving a cold, empty void. “Let’s begin.”

Behind him, the guards exchange glances, oblivious to the glint of madness in Wolfe’s eyes. His obsession with me will be his undoing.

My mind races, desperately searching for another way out. There has to be another option.

There’s always another option.

“I want something else.”

“Tread carefully, little flame.” His amusement returns, a warning edge beneath it.

“Leave his team alone.” The words burn like acid in my throat, each syllable a betrayal of everything I’ve fought to protect. “They’re nothing but hired guns. Leave them alone.”

“Consider it a signing bonus.” Wolfe’s smile widens, all teeth and menace. “Think of what we will accomplish together, my little flame. No more scraping by on the streets. They made you hard. Dangerous. You were always destined to be mine, a part of something… Something extraordinary.”

The unlit candle mocks me on the table; its wax cold and inert. Once, fire meant hope. Survival. Now, it represents an impossible choice.

Behind him, the guards remain oblivious, ignoring the darkness twisting inside Wolfe.

They don’t see what I see—the glint of madness in his eyes. An obsession that will be his downfall.