Page 16 of Us Defiant Few

She screamed his name once more, her heart pounding against her chest. By the time the door unlocked and flew open, her voice was hoarse.

Jack stood outside, with Jericho and Brock flanking him, and a plain man in a lab coat a few feet behind. At the sight of Takeshi choking Khalani, the four men froze at the door, their faces paling.

“What—” Jack started.

“This is what’s going to happen,” Takeshi interrupted. “You’re going to unlock these chains, and we’re walking out of here.”

We?

Khalani had no time to turn around and question him before Takeshi continued.

“If you don’t do as I say…she dies.”

Her breath hitched, an icy tingle rippling through her veins. His powerful hand remained locked around her throat, his body pressing against hers, keeping her completely immobile.

She didn’t know if he’d actually do it. A huge part of her believed that Takeshi was still in there and would never intentionally hurt her.

But fuck…it sounded like he meant it.

The four men didn’t speak for a few moments. To her surprise, Brock was the first one to move, stepping forward with his palms cautiously raised.

“Takeshi,” he began. “It’s Brock. I haven’t known you long. We actually kind of hate each other. But from what I do know, hurting her is the last thing you want to do.”

“And tell me…Brock.” Takeshi laced his name with disdain. “Are you willing to bet her life on that little theory?”

Brock hesitated, his gaze flickering between Takeshi’s menacing eyes and her terrified ones. She barely noticed that the older man in a lab coat quietly left after Jack whispered in his ear.

“I’m going to start counting,” Takeshi warned, his voice harder than steel. “And if these cuffs aren’t unlocked by the time I get to three, I’m snapping her neck.”

Khalani’s eyes bulged, and the trembling in her limbs grew volatile when no one moved.

“One.”

Brock glanced at Jack, his expression slowly starting to panic when Jack stayed silent.

“Two.”

He was actually going to do it. Takeshi was going to kill her.

And the saddest part?

She didn’t hate him for it.

Khalani closed her eyes and prayed that if heaven existed, they’d find each other there. Maybe then, she’d tell him all the things she should’ve said the first time.

“Thr—”

“Jericho,” Jack interrupted. “Remove his chains.”

Her chest heaved under the band of Takeshi’s strong arms as Jericho promptly stepped forward, removing his manacles.

She flinched as they clattered to the floor.

Jericho took a loaded step back, and Takeshi lifted Khalani to her feet. She assumed he’d let her go, but Takeshi kept his firm grip around her.

“Move out of the cell and stand against the wall,” he demanded.

They didn’t move at first, but Jack nodded, and the three men reluctantly obeyed.