“Director Wu anticipated your response.”
Of course he did.
Because Wu studies people like puzzles.
Weaknesses.
Patterns.
Emotional attachments.
And Clay—
Clay became mine.
The realization hits hard enough to hurt.
The operative’s gaze shifts past Clay directly onto me.
“Subject Thirteen.”
His tone turns almost polite.
“You know Vincent cannot survive prolonged Sentinel interrogation.”
Ice floods my veins.
No.
Absolutely not.
Because suddenly I understand exactly what Wu plans to do.
Not kill Clay.
Break him.
Use him.
And worst of all?
Use him against me.
Gunfire erupts downstairs again.
Closer now.
The estate’s under full assault.
Mason shouts somewhere below:
“MULTIPLE ENTRY TEAMS!”
The operative beneath the balcony keeps his eyes locked on me.
“You know what Director Wu wants.”
A faint smile.
