Mother.
My stomach turned.
It was strange seeing her again, like she was a complete stranger.
Even before I went to Darkmoor, I had been kept in a holding cell and she hadn’t bothered to come see me once. Which meant I hadn’t seen her in nearly a year.
And before that, she rarely came to my room. It was like looking at me hurt her.
She wore a black linen suit, her hair pulled tight into a sleek bun. Her lipstick was blood red.
“Good morning, Elliot,” she said simply.
Elliot and Dev emerged from the car, Dev’s blade already in his hand. I caught the faint scent of blood in the air and knew he had cut his palm in preparation. He wore a mask that covered the lower half of his face. But I could see his eyes, clear as day.
“Georgina,” Elliot replied calmly.
“It’s been a long time.”
“Not long enough,” Elliot said. “Where are my men?”
Georgina smiled. “Why would I tell you that? Especially when you appear empty-handed yourself.”
Elliot’s smile turned nasty. “I thought this was a negotiation.”
“No,” she said lightly. “It was an ultimatum. Did you think I was bluffing?”
Georgina clicked her fingers. The back door of her car opened, and a guard dragged both Kieran and Ash out.
Ash looked unconscious.
Kieran just looked furious.
A guard raised a gun toward them both.
I gasped before I could stop myself.
Dev heard it.
His eyes flicked toward the truck in horror. I met his gaze and watched him go pale.
Elliot didn’t even blink.
“I’m not too concerned,” Elliot said calmly. “Because you and I both know you need Gideon alive. So, I’ll take my men back now, thank you, and we’ll pretend this conversation never happened.”
Georgina’s eyes darkened.
“You think I won’t kill them?”
“I think,” Elliot said mildly, “you aren’t that stupid.” He gestured to the surrounding area. “I have snipers trained on all your men. Kill them? You’ll be next.”
“You are bluffing,” Georgina sneered.
“Am I?” Elliot said, stepping forward.
“So, it’s a bloodbath you want. Fine. Kill them.”
The guards raised their weapons.
