Page 220 of Ruin My Life

“We need to go,” I tell Chavez, already on my feet. “They’ve got almost an hour’s lead based on the timestamp.”

Chavez nods. “I’m with you. We’re not letting him get away with this.”

No, we’re not.

Connor thinks he’s in control. Thinks he’s finally found the upper hand. But I’ll burn every bridge, every safehouse, every last piece of my fucking kingdom to the ground if it means getting her back.

And I know Brie—she won’t go down quietly. She’ll fight.

They both will.

But only one of them walks away.

I’m coming, Brie,I say silently, hoping the words will make it to her somehow.Hold on.

Chapter Forty

Brie

THE DRIVE TORHODEISLAND FEELS MUCHshorter this time. I’m not sure if it’s Connor’s reckless swerving through midday traffic or the universe’s finalfuck youthat’s shaving off the minutes I need to come up with a plan.

The engine hums beneath us as heavy metal blares from the speakers like a war drum. My head throbs in time with the beat, every crash of cymbal and scream of guitar grinding against my skull.

Connor hasn’t said a word since we got into his navy-blue Audi, and I haven’t asked any questions. As curious as I am to know every detail—why now, how long he’s been lying, what his end goal is—it doesn’t matter. Not right now.

What matters is protecting Rebecka.

He can’t find her. I won’t let him.

He only knows that her home issomewhereon Block Island—because that’s where he managed to track Damon to. I’m assuming it was when Damon logged onto the King’s Eye server to access those files on Jennifer. Considering Connor already got in once before undetected, he probably pulled the server logs and traced Damon’s IP.

But that only gives him a general location. He’s still in the dark about the exact address. That’s the only reason I’m still breathing. He needs me to show him the way.

We board the ferry like I had with Damon, but we don’t get out. He keeps us both locked tight inside the car.

He’s not taking any chances. Not after everything.

The ferry horn blares, cutting through the wall of sound pouring from his stereo. He lowers the volume, just enoughfor the tension between us to rise like steam off freshly poured asphalt.

Time’s running out.

“Okay,” Connor says, his voice flat, almost bored as he turns toward me. “From this point forward, you’re going to direct me to Damon’s most well-kept secret.”

He reaches down and cocks his gun, adjusting his wrist so it rests on the center console. The muzzle presses cold and steady into my ribs.

“Remember what happens if you don’t.”

I don’t flinch. Not on the outside.

“Kill me and you won’t know where to go,” I reply evenly.

He sneers, his mouth twitching like he enjoys the standoff. “Block Island isn’t exactly a sprawling metropolis, hacker. I’ll find it eventually. You’re just going to make it a whole lot faster—if you want to live, that is.”

But we both know that’s a lie.

He’s not going to let me live. Not once he has what he wants. Not after what he’s done. Not after how deep this betrayal cuts.

To earn Damon’s trust. To deceive him this long. To orchestrate all of this from within and still feel so little remorse against those he’s killed along the way—Connor would have to be the most ruthless person I’ve ever met.