Page 158 of Trapped Truth

“You sure about this?” Hyland rubs at the blood misted on his face.

“Those victims downstairs deserve justice. Who am I to take it from them?”

“You have every right to end his life,” I argue, though it doesn’t sit well.

“That might be so, but all I really need is right here.” Blaine strains against the handcuffs to stroke Ember’s auburn locks. “Do as you please with him. He’s no longer my concern.”

“Blaine,” Ember whispers. “I l-love you.”

He peers down at her with palpable tenderness. “I love you too, Em.”

We all startle at the din of yelling advancing towards us. Hyland rises to flank me, retaking his gun and pointing it down the long corridor. At Hudson’s red-slick face appearing, both of us relax.

“You’re late!” Axel jeers down the hallway.

He sprints towards us then slows, sucking in loud gulps of air. “Damn. Did I miss all the action?”

All we can do is laugh.

CHAPTER 26

EMBER

OTHERSIDE - MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS

The view inside Sabre’s sprawling, private medical suite is harrowing. The entire department in HQ has been cleared to make space for thirteen identical beds, boasting their own gaunt occupant. Honestly, we didn’t trust anyone else to keep the patients secure.

All women.

All held captive.

All now free.

At my side, Gracie is breathing heavily. Our fingers are interlinked tight enough to interrupt the blood supply, but I don’t care. I’ll hold her hand until the end of time if that’s what she needs to face this cruelty.

“We did it, Gracie. We got them out.”

“They’re all alive?” Her saucer-like eyes ping pong around the makeshift space.

“Four are in induced comas, the rest are suffering from various degrees of dehydration, starvation or infections. It’ll be some time before we know if everyone will pull through or not.”

“They almost didn’t make it.”

“I know, hun. But it’s all over now.”

She jaggedly shakes her head. “That could’ve been me.”

“But it wasn’t.” Eager to reassure her, I speak as gently as possible. “Nolan Madden is alive and in custody. His networks are being dismantled as we speak. No one is going to touch you again.”

Biting her lip, her attention darts around the scene through the window. “Can I go inside? I want to see if I recognise anyone.”

“I guess so, but only for a short while. Do you want me to come?”

“No, it’s okay. I need to do this alone.”

“I’ll be right here if you need me, okay?”

Releasing her bloodless hand, I let the poor girl go. To my pride, she walks with her blonde head held high, slipping into the makeshift hospital ward to face her past head-on. I wish I had an ounce of her strength and determination at that age.