Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 60768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
He gives me a look that could cut glass. “As I’ll ever be.”
I open the door and gesture for him to go first. “Good boy. Let’s see how long that attitude lasts at the new place.”
He walks past me, close enough that our shoulders almost brush. Close enough that I catch the faint scent of him again and feel that unwelcome spark low in my stomach.
This safehouse is going to feel very small very fast. And I’m not sure which one of us is going to break first. But I know one thing for certain.
I can’t afford to lose.
I follow him out into the hallway, already planning the next ten moves while pretending I have everything under control. Because that’s what I do.
I obey on the surface.
I survive underneath.
And somewhere in the middle, I wait for my moment to turn the tables on everyone.
Including the tired, angry, far-too-attractive man walking ahead of me like he’s already plotting how to make me regret every order I give him.
The game is just beginning.
And I intend to win it.
Even if winning means dragging Poe Cameron through hell right beside me.
FIVE
POE
The drive to the new safehouse feels endless, even though it’s probably only forty minutes outside the city. Orchid drives in silence, one hand loose on the wheel, the other resting near the gun I know is holstered under her jacket. I sit in the passenger seat with my wrists loosely zip-tied in front of me because she’s not stupid enough to trust me completely. The city lights fade behind us, replaced by dark stretches of road lined with trees that look like they’re closing in.
I keep my mouth shut for most of the ride. My head’s still fucking foggy from the short, restless sleep back at the warehouse, and every mile that ticks by just adds another layer of exhaustion mixed with that constant low hum of worry. Ozzy, Arrow, Knight, Gage, Render. They’re out there somewhere, probably piecing together the lies Serafina planted about me. Maddox himself might already be running damage control, wondering how one of his own could turn. The thought sits heavy in my gut like bad takeout.
When we finally pull up to the safehouse, it’s not what I expected. It looks like a regular upscale cabin tucked back in the woods, all dark wood and big windows that probably have bulletproof glass behind the pretty frames. Orchid kills the engine and glances at me.
“Behave,” she says simply.
I give her a flat look. “Yeah, I got the memo.”
She cuts the zip ties and leads me inside. The front door opens with a biometric scan of her palm and a code she types in too fast for me to catch. Inside, the place is modern and cold. Open concept living area with a kitchen that looks like it has never been used for actual cooking. Hardwood floors that do not creak, which means they’re probably reinforced. Cameras in every corner, discreet but obvious if you know what to look for. The whole house screams secure. No easy exits. No weak points I can spot in the first thirty seconds.
Orchid watches me take it all in, arms crossed. “Impressed?”
“Cozy,” I mutter. “Real homey. Where’s the dungeon part?”
She almost smiles. Almost. “Upstairs. Your room is on the left. Mine is across the hall. Do not get any ideas about midnight strolls. The windows are sealed and the doors lock from the outside if I want them to.”
I follow her up the stairs, legs heavy. It’s late now, probably past midnight, and the exhaustion is catching up fast. My own room turns out to be decent. King bed, private bathroom, a small desk in the corner. No television, no phone, just the basics. It feels like a nicer prison cell.
Orchid leans against the doorframe while I drop onto the edge of the bed. “There’s a full setup in the office downstairs. Computers, multiple monitors, isolated network, everything you’ll need for the work Serafina wants done. I’ll show you tomorrow when you’re not about to fall over.”
I rub my wrists where the zip ties dug in. “About that call to my sister. You said if I behaved.”
She checks her watch, then shakes her head. “Later. It’s too late tonight. She’s probably sleeping. You’ll get your call when I say you get it. Not before.”
The words land like another lock clicking shut. I want to argue, but the fight is draining out of me. I’m too tired to push right now. “Fine. Later.”
She studies me for a long second, like she’s waiting for me to snap. When I don’t, she nods once. “Get some rest. I’ll be right across the hall. Try anything and the nice room becomes a lot less nice.”
I watch her leave, the door clicking shut behind her. For a moment I just sit there, letting the quiet settle. Then I force myself up and explore the room. Bathroom has no window, just a vent too small to crawl through. Bed is comfortable enough, but the sheets feel sterile. I strip down to the borrowed boxers and crawl under the covers, staring at the ceiling.