Page 120 of Trapped Truth

“I can’t do this anymore. We’ve lost everything.”

“We haven’t lost each other.” He nuzzles into my shoulder.

“What about all the innocent lives, dead because we can’t close a case?”

“It’s not for lack of trying, love. This beast is bigger than all of us. Madden’s savagery… it’s beyond anything we’ve ever encountered.”

“Then how do we stop him?” The question tears from my throat.

“By holding our nerve.”

Warner rests his head against mine, cuddling me close as my energy wanes. I’m too drained to hold back the frustrated river of tears. Anguish, grief and horror wage war behind my breastbone, leaving every last ugly emotion to pour out.

Kyle’s betrayal was one thing. He never got over his teammate’s death. But selling us out to Nolan Madden? Exposing the location of our home and killing innocent people to send a message? It flies against every last principle we believe in.

He worked for Sabre.

Bled for it. Fought for it.

In the end, the temptation of violence still won. I understand that thirst for revenge. God, do I know how powerful it is. The way it warps your brain tissue and poisons every living cell until all you want is to hurt the entire world.

But launching a full-scale offensive with civilian lives caught in the crossfire has blindsided us all. While London burns and the public reels in front of their televisions, I’m stuck here without the opportunity to lash out at the evil that’s infected our lives.

“Let it all out.” Warner rubs soothing circles on my arm.

“We can’t even protect ourselves!”

“It’s safe here for now. We need to await further orders. The city’s on fire, Em. We’re not the only ones running for our lives.”

“But it’s our job to end this.” I swipe at my wet cheeks.

“And we will. I made a promise that I intend to keep.”

Before long, my tears expire, morphing into boiling rage that rots me from the inside out. When I shrug free from his embrace, Warner watches me rise, accepting the hand up I offer to take the brunt off his prosthetic.

“I need to do something; I can’t just sit here.”

“Ember…”

“Where are the others? Maybe Blaine will spar with me.”

“He’s outside guarding the perimeter with the last of his men.” Warner drags a hand over his salt-and-pepper head. “Pretty sure he’s deciding whether or not to cut them loose.”

“What?”

“Not sure how trusting he’s feeling, despite what they say in their favour. There have been too many betrayals, too much hurt. Frankly, I don’t trust anyone outside of our team.”

If the news is to be believed, neither does anyone else. Law enforcement is scrambling to keep the public at bay. No one knows why our apartment building was targeted. If they did, Sabre would soon come under fire.

Part of me thinks it’s only a matter of time until the truth comes out. Large-scale explosions in one of the city’s busiest areas with human casualties and no warning tend to have that effect.

“Why take such a bold step?” I shake my head in dismay. “Striking his son’s illegal operation is one thing. Detonating a public building? Slaughtering strangers on the street like cattle?”

Warner hitches a muscled shoulder. “Power makes men do unthinkable things.”

“That isn’t power; it’s madness!”

“Madden’s desperate to regain his empire, no matter the human cost.”