Page 88 of While He Breathes

My stomach bottoms out as I untape it and shove it into the small pocket sewn into the waistband of the leggings.

Footsteps in the hallway drag my attention away, and I quickly move from the bathroom, perching on the edge of the bed just in time for the door to swing open.

Cain glares at me, clearly thinking I was going to fail, and he would get to make good on his promise.

Even as his eyes move over my clothing, I wonder if he’s going to do it, anyway.

I doubt Lucas would care.

But instead, he nods his head to the side. “Hurry up.”

I swallow heavily as I follow after him, the sharp metal of the blade burning into my hip with every step I take.

One way or another, I’m not marrying Lucas.

Now I just have to wait and see which escape plan I enact.

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

ORION

Faking your own death is a lot of work.

Not something I ever thought I’d have to do, but it’ll be worth it if Lucas makes the mistake of bringing Ember out of whatever hiding hole they’re cooped up in.

Killian and I trudge into the penthouse five hours after the explosion, both covered in soot and God knows what else.

We had to crawl through the basement window to get out without being detected by the cameras, and I hate to think about all the things that are attached to me right now.

I need a shower and a drink.

Max and Darius appear, both visibly relaxing when they see us standing in the entry.

“What the fuck?” Max snaps.

Killian chuckles, pats me on the back, and takes off in the direction of the bathroom.

Lucky asshole.

“It was a trap,” I explain.

“Yeah. I got that much when Lucas sent me a video of the two of you walking straight into it.” He frowns. “How the hell did you get out of there without a scratch?”

I chuckle, but there’s no humor in the sound. “Whoever rigged it wasn’t very good at his job. I knew as soon as I turned the handle that there were explosives inside.”

“And you walked in anyway?” Darius asks.

“They didn’t rig them to the door itself. I’m assuming because they wanted us in the house to ensure we wouldn’t make it out. It was trip-wired, and they made no effort to hide any of the explosives. We walked in, bunkered behind a table, and tripped it with a broom.”

“Are you fucking insane?” Max snaps.

“Careful, Max. I’m going to start thinking you like me if you keep this up.”

He huffs out an irritated breath. “If Lucas is taunting me with that explosion, don’t you think he’ll be doing the same thing to Ember?”

“I know.” I nod. The thought had gone through my head as I stepped into the house. The idea that my little flame could be hurting because of this plan doesn’t sit right with me, but it’s our only hope of getting her back. All the leads we have are shaky, and we need Lucas to make a mistake. What better way to ensure that than taking the main competitors off the board? “But by them thinking Killian and I are dead, we have an opportunity. An element of surprise they won’t be expecting.”

“As long as Ember can hold on that long,” Darius says softly, and my chest clenches. I don’t want her to give up because she thinks escaping would mean coming back to a life without me. A week ago, I could have rationalized that she wouldn’t care if I lived or died. But everything changed since the night of the auction, and I saw her heart opening back up to the idea of loving me.