Page 18 of Knight

Whoever did this knows how to push buttons, how to manipulate digital footprints, but they forgot one crucial thing.

I am not just a system to exploit. I am the one they should fear.

Each door I pass blurs at the edges, a tunnel narrowing on a single target.

Her.

No longer because she’s the threat, but because she’s the fucking bait I snapped up without thought. She’s the key to unraveling whatever twisted game someone is trying to drag me into.

Whatever they’re planning, it’s already begun. And it hinges on her being right here, right now.

The questions pile up like bodies.

Who gained access to my access codes? Who is her brother? What part does he play? Does he playanypart? Or was his disappearance simply what made her useful? What's the end game? And what do they want with me?

I pause outside the door. Her sobs are muffled, barely audible through the thick walls, but the sensors don’t lie.Tension courses through me, fierce and unyielding, clawing at my insides like a caged beast.

The lock clicks open. The bathroom air is cold, sterile, and she's there, curled in on herself, eyes red from crying.Vulnerable.

It’s time to play this new game by my rules. Whether they're ready for it or not.

I kneel in front of her, her eyes widening, confusion and fear flickering across her face. I can see the questions there.

Why are you here? What do you want now?

But there’s no time for reassurances. The real enemy is out there, watching, waiting for me to play by their script. And that’s not going to happen.

“Listen carefully.” I keep my voice low. “I believe you. You’re not the enemy. You’re just a pawn. I’m going to make this right.”

Whoever used her to get into my apartment forgot one important thing. And they’re about to find out exactly what happens when you back a Knight into a corner.

And I promise, it won’t be pretty.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Evangeline

Keys jingle outside the door,and every muscle seizes up, terror clawing its way back up my throat. My wrists burn against the cuffs with every move I make.

What does he want?

Is he bringing more water? Will I have another bathroom break while he stands there watching, and I try to pretend I’m not dying inside?

I can’t do it again. I can’t bear to have him watching, standing there while I?—

The lock clicks, and all the air leaves my lungs in a strangled whimper. I press back against the radiator, the metal biting deeper into my wrists. It hurts, but at least it means I’m still alive. I don’t know how much longer that’s going to be the case. Not with the gun-wielding psychopath who has me trapped.

The door swings open, and my stomach heaves, threatening to bring up the water he forced me to drink hours ago. He steps inside. My throat constricts, making breathing impossible, and black spots dance at the edge of my vision.

He pauses in the doorway for a second, looking at me. I can’t stop myself from shrinking back, trying to make myself smaller. Something crosses his face, gone too fast for me to recognize it.Then he moves, coming closer, long strides eating up the space between us.

I shake my head.

He crouches in front of me.Tooclose. The scent of coffee, and something distinctly male fills my lungs. The fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across his face, turning him into something from a nightmare.

Mynightmare.

“Listen carefully.” His voice is low, intense. “I believe you. You’re not the enemy. And I’m going to make this right.”

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