Page 39 of Brutal Truths

That should’ve been my first sign. Why hadn’t I listened? If I had, then I’d likely not be here now.

The door opens behind me, and I spin, taking a step back. The man I was just thinking about walks into the room, shutting the door behind him.

He’s definitely not Marty.

It’s obvious now. The resemblance to his brother is uncanny, but the darkness that clings to him, the cruel set of his jaw, confirms he indeed is his evil twin.

Marvin’s smirk stretches wide, cocky and unbothered. When he speaks, a flash of gold catches in the light—a large, gaudy tooth.

“You ready to play, princess? It’s been one hell of a day, and I need to work off some steam. Figured I’d start by showing you what’s waiting for you once Rurik gets what he wants.”

His eyes, like ice daggers, drag lazily over my body, leaving a trail of unease that makes my skin crawl.

Fuck.

Chapter 11

Aiden

Thirty bloody minutes.

That’s how long I’ve been sitting here listening to my engine idle while Pauly’s drone sweeps the area. Thirty minutes too long. Five miles is all that separates me and Isabel. Seconds tick by while I’m stuck out here doing fuck all.

If it were my call, I’d already be inside. Guns up. Safety off. Let the rest sort itself out after.

But my men are keeping level heads, treating this like any other mission. Smart. Controlled. The way it should be.

Doesn’t mean I like it.

The longer we sit, the worse it gets. My gut burns, warning me we’re running out of time.

I stop pretending I can sit still. I shove my door open and climb out.

“Fuck it. You all sit here and wait. I’m going in.” The tailgate of Lane’s truck slams down under my hand as I gear up, movements sharp, controlled—barely. “She’s here. I know it. And I don’t give a damn who we piss off getting her back. No one inside walks away.”

Ryan’s at my side before I even finish. He refused to be left behind earlier. Said it was up to him and Marty to bring her back safely.

Under any other circumstances, I’d have given him an earful and put him in his place.

Not tonight. I don’t have the time or patience. We’ve waited long enough.

Slipping on my vest, I fix Ryan with a hard look. “Get in my way and I will shoot you. You’re backup. Nothing more. Once we have Izzy, she’s mine to protect. Understand?”

Ryan nods, pulling a vest over his head. “As long as you let me shoot the fuckers who drugged me.”

“You’ll get your chance.” I grab a tactical belt and toss one his way. “Extracting her is top priority. Once she’s safe, what happens after that all depends on what kind of shape she’s in.”

Marty steps in beside me, already gearing up, jaw tight. “My brother’s mine.”

I toss him a belt and a couple flashbangs. “Then make sure he doesn’t get back up.”

Lane and Zander are the last to join us. They don’t say a word, just gear up.

Pauly’s voice crackles through our comms. “Got eyes on the prize. Southeast room, rear of the house. Two extra vehicles in the drive. Three tangos sweeping perimeter. Place is quiet.”

I strap on two additional handguns, grab my carbine, and load up enough ammo to level the place if needed. “Best entry point?”

“They’ve locked it down. Walls lined with razor wire. Whoever’s inside knew trouble would come.”