Page 81 of Elite Metal: Warriors

Jonas flushed. “She was tied up. Secure.”

“Apparently not. Go on, darling. Drop them.”

She did not.

Ralley sighed. “It would be a shame to have to shoot you.”

“Like you aren’t going to anyway?” She wasn’t stupid. He didn’t have a choice.

She knew his secret. She would not be silent. So he had to silence her.

He tipped his head to the side and tsked. “Not until I get the file you stole, my sweet.”

Michelle drew in a deep, calming breath. Yeah, the fucker was going to kill her. But there was a hint of hope. A tiny sliver of it, but hope nonetheless. If she played her cards right, she might be able to maneuver through these treacherous waters. She might be able to create an opportunity to escape.

And she knew something he did not.

Something that might just save her life.

For the first time since she saw Ben fall, she was filled with a tingle of anticipation, and a wash of relief.

* * *

“Lithium.”

The voice came from very far away. It rang in his head. And the ringing hurt.

No. Wait. It was the shaking that hurt.

Benedict pried open a lid and tried to focus on the shadow looming over him. Fucking shaking him.

Was he dead?

Was this hell?

Was that…Satan?

He blinked and his vision cleared and he winced.

Nope. Not Satan. Worse.

It was Sterling.

“Stoooop.” A plea.

“Oh, thank God. You’re awake. Are you hurt?” Rough hands brushed over his scalp and his arms. He winced when they hit his chest.

“Fuck.”

Sterling ignored his howl and continued checking for wounds. Benedict could have told him where they were and what they were, but his mouth was too dry for him to speak.

Finally, he slapped the inquisitive hands away. “Stop,” he croaked. It took a lot of effort, but he forced himself upright. And shit. It hurt. Everything hurt. Mostly his chest.

He popped open his flak jacket—thank God he’d had it on—and yanked up his shirt. Two purple bruises blossomed on his chest. He winced at the sight of them.

“Shit, Lith. That’s gonna leave a mark.”

He glowered at his friend. Although, they were hardly friends. They’d never really seen eye-to-eye…except on one issue. “Why are you here?” he asked.