Page 74 of Bound By Thorns

Two.

One.

The room erupted in gunfire, the sharp reports snapping me out of the brief paralysis that gripped me at the initial burst. Instinct kicked in, and I returned fire, my shots echoing through the newly revealed passage.

Kabir and Leora hunkered down behind the desk, exchanging fire, while Logan and I pressed against the cold wall by the ominous room’s entrance, narrowly evading the storm of bullets shredding through wood and plaster.

Logan shot me a look before he dove into the open, dodging bullets with a dancer’s grace. My throat tightened as I watched him move into the direct line of fire, but he was swift, dropping two mercenaries with clean, disciplined shots.

Then, an eerie silence fell, punctured only by the slow, deliberate clapping that echoed ominously through the room. My stomach churned, knowing only one person would dare such theatrics in this chaos.

The scent of his familiar cologne wafted through the air before he even appeared. My heart sank as I saw a glimpse of his polished shoes. One shiny shoe, then another, stepped confidently into view. I forced myself to look up, to face him, but my body rebelled; fear and hatred anchoring me in place.

A humming sound replaced his claps, drowning them to a muffled scream, as I shook my head to clear the fog in my mind.

“I enjoyed that entrance,424,” Garret’s voice cut through, thick and dripping with mockery.

I braced for Logan’s retort, expecting a sharp dismissal or a scoff at being reduced to just a number from his torturous days at Ravenrock Hall. Instead, Logan’s laughter filled the space, a dark, chilling sound that made the air feel colder.

“I’m glad you were entertained, Garret,” Logan’s voice rumbled deep, his words slow and deliberate. “But you won’t even get a number. An unmarked grave at best.”

Garret responded with a derisive snort, dismissive and confident.

“Am I supposed to be giving a villainous speech, now? Answer all of your burning questions?” His voice carried a mocking lilt, almost as if he were enjoying this last act.

Leora shot back, quick and sharp, “Itwouldprobably be less torturous.”

Undeterred, Garret sauntered across the room, seemingly oblivious to the assault rifles trained on him. “I am aware I watched my last sunrise today,” he acknowledged with a wink at Logan, his voice chillingly serene. “But I’d prefer torture over betraying my plans.”

His gaze flickered momentarily towards his desk—a fleeting glance that could have been missed in a blink. “Your contingency plans are doomed, Garret,” Leora declared, holding his gaze with fierce determination.

Garret paused, turning to face her fully, his smile chilling. “Ah, the new Maxton,” he mused aloud. “Brave lad, that one. Funny how he met such a mysterious end on a routine job, wouldn’t you say?” His words dripped with an icy casualness that belied the threat underneath.

Leora’s retort sliced through Garret's diversionary tactics, sharp and unyielding. “I am different from him, though. For one, he’s not the one building such a clever, clever conversation withtheGarret Tyson, that you forgot that the escape room behind you is now closed,” she said, her tone mocking as Garret’s gaze darted to the now-sealed door behind him. “And while you didthat, Cipher was able to snag your very last contingency plan.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kabir discreetly stash a Crazon device he found in the desk, into his vest. My lips twitched into a satisfied grin.

Seizing the moment, I stepped forward, “And now for the final act,darling.”

Recognition painted Garret’s face. In one fluid motion, I drew the concealed knife from my vest and sprung it decisively near his clavicle.

Oh, how I smiled as he screamed bloody murder.

THIRTY-THREE

Logan

“Gunner, this is Ghost on a secure line, just you and me,” Zarek’s voice filled my ear. I kept my face calm, but my insides twisted. There were not many reasons Zarek would choose to address only one member out of the team.

“Listen carefully,” he continued, “Team 1 is out; Ranger and Shadow are down. Team 2 can’t reach your position—they’re four floors below. And Gunner, Garret’s men have your floor surrounded.”

As Zarek delivered the grim update, I watched Kaylan plunge her knife into Garret again, her face lit with a fierce grin. I should have felt a surge of pride, but the quake in Zarek’s voice knotted my stomach, derailing my thoughts.

He continued, “Make up an excuse. I’ve ordered Falcon to not mention this to Kabir. Just make up an excuse and cover them, Gunner. I’ve got Zane covering the other side.”

I couldn’t react, I couldn’t speak, but I knew my heavy sigh would be relayed in affirmative.

“Good. Is she okay?” His voice was drenched with fear, so I knew he was asking about Leora.

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