Chapter 79
Someone let it in formma bought for a second, then frowned Men’ve been fim. He’s petty like that, always looking for a way to get back at
stared at the snake mn her hand, will trying to wrap my head around everything I didist ram wh lat it. I just wanted it güne
Gemma grabbed a linen bag, dropped the make in and sealed it up. “Reptiles are pretty common on this island,” she said casually. Til take it out to
the force Lite”
uity impuenied. “Aren’t you scared?” Her booutling
shriom or
Vand were rated te vour
randparents” Lasked a little surprised
ci prety impressive
anching snakes Idah
want them working on hard, so I helped our
“Yesh ́she said. “My lad died young, and mov inom left when I was three. Went off with some guy?
in easy childhood for her. I softened. “Are they play now? Your grandparents“:[
Her smile faded, and she looked down. They’re gone.”
“Sorry” I said quietly. I had figured as much, but hearing at from her still hit hard. If her grandparents were still around, maybe her life would’ve been different Losing the family she could count on made her end up going down the wrong path.
“Did you gloss off Forrest earlier? Gemma asked, changing the subject. “He won’t let you eat, so you’re stuck with just water. She handed me a bottle.
11 took a big wig
Thanks Gemma. You’re actually pretty kind,” I said, meaning it.
She frowned like the words didn’t sit right with her. Her usual cold look came back quickly. “Don’t think we’re friends. Because you bursed that child, I’ll do what I can to make your life here less miserable. That’s it?
“Tomorrow. I’ll try to get you some food” she added fatly, then walled out without looking back.
The rest of the night. I sat clutching the empty water bottle, my stomach growling loud enough to echo in the silent room
Two days without food had left me weak and lightheaded. My fever was still burning, I could feel it. There wasn’t much else to do but try to sleep
I curled up
up on the cold, hard floor, wrapping myself in a thin, worn–out quilt. It didn’t help much, but eventually.
exhaustion won
A noise woke me sometime in the night. At first, I thought it was morning, but then Forrest kicked open the door.
“Get up. You’re coming with us,” he barked, his tone sharp and urgent. He shot a glance at Gemma. “Keep an eye on her!”
Before I could process what was happening, he marched to the comer of the room and tapped on the wall.
Something clicked, and a hid
panel slid open, revealing a door with a keypad. Forrest pressed his thumb to the scanner, and the door unlocked, rxposing a dark passage behinal at
Gemma helped me up, her grip firm. “What’s going on?” I whispered, looking at her for answers.
She hesitated, biting her lip, but didn’t say a word. Forrest spun around, his voice slurps “Stop talking, Move!”
I had never seen him this rattled and angry. Whatever was happening, it was hig. For a second, hope flickered in my chest. Was someone here to
Gemma rugged me forward, and we followed Forrest into the passage. The air was damp and state as we walked through the narrow tunnel for what felt like half an hour
The whole time, n
, my mind was spinning, trying to figure out what was happening, and how I was going to survive it
If the police were really here, I had to find a way to escape and get to them. But my body was weak, and running wasn’t an option.
Forrest’s flashlight cut
light cut through the darkness, and he motioned toward me. “You first. Climb”
At the end of the tunnel was a narrow set of stairs. He knocked against the steps with his flashlight, and after a series of sharp clicks, a trapdoor above slid open, spilling light into the passage
1/2
Chapter 79
was waiting at the top “Boss, it’s clear
showed me forward. “Get moving“
The guy up top reached down and hauled me out by the arm. I stumbled onto solid ground as Forrest and Gemma followed close behind.
Looking around, I realized we were by the coast. The sound of crashing waves filled the air, and the courtyard was nowhere in sight. This passage von clearly designed as an escape route.
“The speedboat is ready the thug reported, pointing to the shore. “We’ve got it parked and waiting
Fortent game a curt nod. “How many people are there
odden is searching with seven, eight guys tops. We stayed clear like you ordered and prepped for the exit the thug said, then muttered. “Still can’t figure out why he showed up, though.”
Heaning that name felt like a slap. “Quinn?” My voice broke as the realization hit
Of all the scenarios I had imagined–Smith’s family, the police, even Rose or Aiden–Quinn wasn’t one of them. Yet somehow, he was here. Gemma grabbed my arm. We need to move. The cops
won’t be far behind.”
Forrest let out a low, menacing laugh. “Let them come. None of them are leaving”
The thug grinned like a kid who had just won a prize. “Boss you’re a genius. That time bomb? Once we’re on the boat, I’ll set it off. Three minutes Ester, boom Madden and his crew won’t even know what hit them.”
A time bomb? My mind went blank for a second. Quinn had no idea about this
Three minutes, that was all we had. If he didn’t find me, he would keep searching the place, completely unaware of what was coming
I couldn’t let him die for me. Adrenaline surged through me, and before I knew it, I’d shoved Gemma aside and taken off running
I didn’t even think. All I knew was I had to save Quinn. If I couldn’t, then I would go down with him.
“Stop her! Bring her back! Forrest’s voice rang out behind me,
but I didn’t stop,
I could hear the goons chasing me, their boots pounding against the ground. My lungs burned, but I kept pushing forward, praying I would make it
in time.
Then, out of nowhere, my foot caught on a loose pebble. I stumbled hard, hitting the ground face–first
“Got you now!” one of them said, sneering.
Before I could scramble up, a shadow loomed over me. Rough hands grabbed my collar, yanking me halfway off the ground
Through the night.
