I snarled, my body tensing as if preparing for an attack. Whatever plan Liza had in mind, I needed to be ready, but seeingher held captive by that monster made it difficult. I wouldn’t let him take her from me.
Liam crouched next to Sabrina, who lay crumpled against a tree trunk. He gently touched her face. The scent of her blood made my stomach churn.
“Get her out of here,” I told Liam, not taking my eyes off Castro. “She needs help.”
Liam shook his head. “I’m not leaving Liza, Ty. Not again.”
“I know, but you’re Sabrina’s mate. She needs you, too.” My heart ached for Liam, torn between protecting his sister and the woman he was destined to be with.
A cold sweat broke out on my skin as Castro’s threat hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Liam stood his ground, his eyes flicking between Liza and Sabrina.
“Aw, how noble of you,” Castro sneered, tightening his grip on a now-still Liza. “But remember, if you don’t let me leave with her, I’ll activate her. She’ll kill her brother and best friend without a second thought.”
My jaw clenched, the muscles there twitching with barely contained rage. How could he do this? Use Liza against us like that? My vision blurred red. We needed a plan, and fast.
“Handle me,” Liza suddenly said, her voice calm and steady despite the situation.
“Wh—” I began, but stopped myself, realizing her words were meant for Liam. My heart pounded, my mind racing to catch up with what Liza was saying. She had a plan, and she needed Liam to trust her.
Liam glared at Castro. “You want to play this sick game? Let’s play.”
My heart raced in anticipation, wondering how this would play out. Liam’s smirk widened as he understood Liza’s plan. Castro gritted his teeth and raised his hand, attempting toactivate her. But before he could utter the word, Liam beat him to it.
“Nachinat,” Liam said confidently, a glint of triumph in his eyes.
Castro’s eyes widened, and he screamed with rage. “No! You can’t do that!”
I remained as still as stone, watching the scene unfold before me. Liza’s head dropped, her body going limp. It was as if she’d suddenly become a puppet, waiting for someone to pull her strings. Castro hesitated, slowly stepping away from her. Liza’s movements were slow and mechanical as she turned to face Liam.
“Give me my mission,” she requested, her voice void of emotion.
123
LIZA
Iblinked, trying to focus as my world swirled around me. I felt like a stranger in my own body, as if something had come undone. To my left, someone was yelling, their voice strained and desperate. I turned my head slightly, my vision hazy as I tried to make out the face that should have been familiar, but it was like grasping at a memory that kept slipping through my fingers.
“Get away from her!”
My gaze shifted to my handler. He, too, seemed oddly familiar, yet distant at the same time. His eyes locked onto mine, and his lips curled into a smile.
“Remember what I told you, Liza,” he said. “I promised I’d never use you, and I meant it.”
I stared at him, confusion flooding my mind. What was he talking about? And why did his words hold such weight?
“Listen carefully,” he continued, his eyes never leaving mine. “You’re free from your shackles, but I need you to do me a favor. Help me end the life of the man who took our father from us.”
“What?” My voice trembled as I fought to make sense of his words. My heart pounded, and the blood rushed through my veins.
“Once Castro is dead, you’ll deactivate forever.”
A shock of lightning tore through my head, the pain so intense I was certain death would claim me. Just as suddenly as the agony had arrived, it vanished, leaving me gasping for breath and clinging to consciousness. As I became aware of my surroundings once more, I found Ty at my side, his gray eyes wide with concern.
“Are you okay?” he asked, gripping my arm tightly.
I nodded, still trying to catch my breath. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I managed, although I wasn’t entirely sure that was true. A niggling sensation tugged at the back of my mind, like a command I had to fulfill. My gaze darted around, searching for Castro, but he was nowhere to be seen.
“Castro took off for the trees.” Ty followed my line of sight.
