Page 174 of Burn Like An Angel

Solid. Immovable.

My tear-logged eyes catch on the black, chain bracelet still secured around my wrist. I haven’t taken it off since that night—our makeshift first date. Not even to shower. Seeing it only increases my hysterical panic.

I have no idea if they’re alive.

No. They have to be.

I don’t want to live if Xander, Raine and Lennox aren’t in this world with me. Not after all we’ve seen together. I’d die right here just to be with them before taking another step alone.

Time holds no meaning in the cell. Like before, it could be passing in minutes or hours, and I’d have no concept of it. I don’t even have Lennox here to keep me sane this time around.

All I can think about is their twisted, broken bodies trapped inside that wrecked car. Lifeless and bleeding. The thoughts become reality in my solitude until I’m convinced the guys are dead.

Gnawing stomach pain degrades into nausea, but it fails to rival the fierce burn in my throat. I’m painfully dehydrated—the only measurement of time passing. My arms have gone numb too.

When the door to the cell opens, I don’t move. I can’t summon an ounce of will to defend myself against whoever has come to greet me. Revulsion stirs in me at the sneering grin worn by my captor.

“Isn’t this a familiar scene?” Elon saunters into the cell. “Nice to see you again, Ripley.”

Not real. Not real. Not real.

He crouches down in front of me. “You’re looking a bit peaky. Can I get you a refreshment? Glass of champagne? We do like our guests to be cared for.”

“E-Elon,” I somehow manage.

“Yes, stooge?”

Licking my crusted lips, I draw saliva into my mouth. “Please…”

“Ah, the begging stage. Perfect. Please what?”

“P-Please…”

Smiling maniacally, he slaps me across the face. A dull throb radiates across in my jaw, causing my eyes to water. I blink aside tears to look into his cruel eyes.

“Do spit it out,” he commands impatiently.

“P-Please… go f-fuck yourself.”

His grin pulls down. “Always such a disobedient bitch. You never learn.”

This time, he punches me in the face. My neck snaps to the side, wrenching agonisingly. The pain increases tenfold, racketing through my bones and teeth, making tears spill over.

Elon watches my reaction, his knuckles red from hitting me. The look of satisfaction on his face is fucking repulsive. He looks genuinely thrilled by my tears.

“You’ve been a monumental pain in the ass, Ripley. Running away to join the super spies like that… Tut tut. Poor choice. They couldn’t keep you from ending up back here.”

Rising back up, he brushes off his jeans and shirt. Seeing him out of his all-black uniform is unnerving. This isn’t Elon the overpaid thug. I could handle him.

Now I’m dealing with Elon the rogue ex-con. Unhinged and without a master to answer to. All bets are off.

“Killing Harrison was a low blow but rather impressive, I’ll give you that.” He inspects the cell with a look of disgust. “Never thought I’d see that tough bastard get snuffed out.”

“Like your b-boss,” I cough out.

“We have your new buddies to thank for that. Though we all saw it coming. Bancroft got sloppy; he allowed too much evidence to slip past him. We were prepared for his demise.”

“W-We?”

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