Page 51 of Ravaged Soul
“It’s go time!” Warner hollers through the door. “Out. Now.”
Smirking, Ember’s mouth briefly touches mine for a final kiss. “You heard the boss.”
“Fuck the boss.”
“Believe me, I’m trying to.”
Laughter tumbles out of me. “No dice, hmm?”
“I’m playing a long game. Now, come do some heroic shit with me?”
I plant a heavier kiss on her lips, pushing my tongue inside her mouth to ensure my essence is imprinted on her taste buds. She better feel me all over her body when we march into this fight. And on the other side of it, I’m finally gonna make her mine.
We separate when Warner yells our names again, causing Ember to jerk. With a final peck, I release her to reach for the door’s lock.
“Let’s bring your brother home.”
She unveils a full, excited smile.
“I’m ready.”
CHAPTER 7
EMBER
SOUTHBOUND – ARTEMAS
Fragments of imagesfrom the last time I found myself in a dockyard creep into my mind like stealthy attackers, determined to imprison me in the past. The flashes are muddied and intense, despite my attempts to focus on the vehicle we’re riding in.
Bound wrists. Drugged grogginess.
Screaming women. The yells of our captors.
Blood. Terror. Darkness.
It’s near impossible not to think about the poor, terrified girl I was tossed into that black container with. Gracie’s never far from my thoughts. When I’m not thinking about Tom, I’m tormented by what Luis threw in my face.
You should be glad that she’s dead. Her fate could’ve been far worse.
If it’s the last thing that I do, I’ll ensure that he pays for the suffering she endured. Gracie deserves justice. They all do. That’s my purpose now—to dismantle this sick, twisted machine and protect all the would-be victims out there.
“Are you in position?” Hyland asks into his comms.
The sound of Kyle’s gruff voice filters through our earpieces.
“Affirmative. I’ve got eyes on the vehicle. It hasn’t moved.”
“Watch our backs. Only fire if necessary.”
“You mean I don’t have permission to put a bullet in your back?” The pout is evident in Axel’s voice.
“Knock it off,” Warner scolds from beside me. “You’re covering the Falcon Team, Ax. Behave.”
“When has he ever been able to do that?” Hyland grumbles.
“Fuck you, Hy,” Axel whines unhappily.
“Not with a thousand condoms, pup. Do your job.”
