THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER CONTAINS GRAPHIC VIOLENCE AND MAY BE TROUBLESOME TO SOME READERS. READ AT OWN RISK *************************************************************************************************************Evelyn POVKade’s cell phone began to ring just as Ricci walked towards Aaron’s unconscious body. Without glancing my way, Kade told Ricci he needed to take the call. Ricci responded with a simple wave of his hand. “What do you want to know?” I cried as Ricci took out his knife.“Who are you working for?” My pause only entices Ricci more and before I can respond he’s cutting off one of Aaron’s fingers.The piercing scream that leaves Aaron’s lips makes bile come up my throat. Tears stream down my face as I try to get out of my restraints. “STOP! PLEASE STOP! I’ll tell you!” I scream as Ricci moves to another finger. Raising an eyebrow at me, Ricci gives me an expectant look. “I work for a special operations unit through the government. But you already know this. You ment

EVELYN POV“Evelyn,” the sound of Buddha’s voice made tears well up in my eyes from relief. I turned around just in time for Buddha to scoop me up in his arms. The smell of smoke permeated my senses. He smelt like a campfire. I let out a sob of relief as I wrapped my arms around his neck. Buddha cradled the back of my head with his large hand as he tried to soothe my cries. “It’s going to be okay. Shhh.” He whispered into my ear. He placed me back on the ground and cupped my cheeks before looking behind me and then back to me with a confused expression. “Where’s Arrow?” He looked over my shoulder and then back to me. I clasped my hands over Buddha’s, before shaking my head. I closed my eyes and willed myself to speak the words that I knew would crush him.“He’s….he’s gone…” I squeezed my eyes shut as another wave of grief hit me. Buddha let go of my face as if my skin burned his hands. He shook his head in disbelief before a hard, angry expression took over his face. I’d never seen

Evelyn POVI clenched my jaw as Kade walked towards the side of my bed. I felt my pulse quicken from the overwhelming onset of emotions that were threatening to consume me. Ignoring the glare, I was giving him, Kade sat down and scrubbed his hands down his face before looking at me. “We need to talk.” His voice was flatter than a race car track. I scoffed. “Then go ahead, talk.” I crossed my arms over my chest. The overwhelming need to cry made me close my eyes. I would not show any sort of weakness in front of this man. I didn’t care what he had to say. I couldn’t forgive him for what happened to me and…I couldn’t even think of my best friend’s name. Kade clenched his jaw and rested his forearms on his thighs. “I want to make sure you understand that I have a right to be angry as well Evelyn. So, lose the fucking attitude and hear what I have to say.” I felt like smoke would come out of my ears from the fiery rage that was building in me. “Oh, I’m sorry, did I allow you to get tor

EVELYN POVThe rain poured down on us as my mother’s casket was lowered into the ground. It was as if Heaven was shedding tears for her untimely death. Matthew had been able to get bereavement leave. He stood in his formal uniform next to me. My sister Sarah acted like the spoiled brat that she was. Acting as if coming home from boarding school was an inconvenience. What made matters worse was her clinging to Ricci as if he were her puppeteer. They stood cross from us in impeccable formal black attire. My sister dabbed her eyes with a tissue, acting the part perfectly. Ricci was able to use my mother’s death to his advantage by creating a media campaign as the distraught mourning husband. My team stood behind me, ready to attack if needed. But I knew better. Ricci wouldn’t let this opportunity go to waste. Pretending to be the guard dog of Ricci’s precious auction item, Kade stood off to the side of me making sure I was always in his line of vision. Machine stood by his side as stil

I was brought through the backdoor of Olympus and into a small dressing room with a makeup vanity and a couch. Evan stood outside the dressing room, making sure no one entered or left. Kade unzipped my garment bag which revealed a stunning red dress and red heels. Inside a hidden compartment was a small earpiece. He handed it to me. “You won’t be able to respond, but you will be able to hear us. Are you ready?” I nodded as I placed the small silicone piece in my ear before letting my curled brunette hair down to fall over my shoulders. A knock sounded on the door making me jump. Kade walked over to the door and whispered back and forth with Machine. “Move out of my way, Machine.” My blood ran cold at the sound of Ricci’s voice. Kade put on his mask of indifference towards me and stepped out of the path for Ricci to pass through. Ricci wore a black bespoke suit with a crisp button up shirt underneath. A black mask sat on his forehead. His blue eyes felt like ice on my skin. A cruel