Page 70 of Emmy's Ride

It was a live feed. A dark room. A man bound to a chair, beaten and bloodied. His brown hair matted with blood, his face barely recognizable—but I knew him.

Luke. He’s not dead.

A choked sound left my throat. “No,” I whispered.

The man sighed. “Your brother has been very difficult. But I thought you’d like to see him before I decide what to do with him.”

Tears blurred my vision. “Let him go.”

“Ah,muñeca,” he tsked. “That’s not how this works.”

Javier wore a sickening grin. “But if you cooperate… maybe he’ll live.”

My breath shuddered out of me.

I looked at the screen. At Luke. At my big brother. Alive. But for how long?

My heart pounded. I had a choice to make and no good options.

My world narrowed to the image on the screen. Luke was barely conscious, his head lolling forward, blood dripping from a gash above his brow. His hands were tied behind his back, his entire body slack with exhaustion—or pain.

I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

“Do you see what defiance gets you? It’s such a shame. Your brother was a valuable asset. But he’s been testing my patience.”

“What do you want?” I bit out.

The man sighed, as if I was being difficult. “I already told you. Obedience. But now, I need something more.”

Javier shifted closer, and I forced myself to stay still, not to cringe as his presence loomed beside me.

“We’re going to play a little game,” The Ghost continued. “I ask questions. You answer honestly. If I like what I hear, Luke gets to keep breathing. If I don’t…”

Luke’s groan came faintly through the speaker, and a dagger plunged into my heart at the sound.

“Fine,” I forced out. “I’ll answer.”

“Good girl,” he purred. “Let’s begin.”

Javier set the tablet on a nearby table, then perched himself on the edge of the bed, watching me with an infuriating smirk.

The first question came like a bullet.

“How much do the Kings of Chaos know?”

I hesitated.

Javier’s fingers trailed lightly over my arm, his touch barely there. A warning.

“Not much,” I said quickly. “Austin knows you took me. He’ll come for me. That’s all.”

The man hummed as if considering. “And what does your brother know?”

Think.

“I don’t know,” I said carefully. “He never told me anything.”

Javier clicked his tongue, reaching for the tablet. He tapped something, and the camera feed zoomed in on Luke’s battered face.

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