Page 91 of Brutal Truths

Chapter 27

Aiden

I didn’t tell Isabel everything. Not because I don’t trust her, but because I didn’t want her to worry while I figured this out. She can tear into me later, once this mess is over. I’ll even let her punish me for it, let her decide what that looks like. Beg for her forgiveness while burying my head between her legs, worshiping her until the only thing she can think about is me, every other thought gone.

But that only happens if we make it out of here.

After we dropped Merial at the hospital and Jen was stitching me up, a few things crossed my mind. The entire meeting felt like a set up from the beginning. Even Trent clocked it.

Too much effort for the outcome. Getting us to the barn, tying up the ladies, wiring the place with enough explosives to level it—only to allow a last-second escape.

That’s not a mistake. That’s designed. And if it was… then we walked straight into it.

It was all too perfect.

Which is why as soon as Jen finished playing doctor, I insisted Teddy hand over the scanner so we could sweep for trackers. We carry one in our go-bags for situations exactly like this. When something feels off, you don’t have time to second-guess it.

Didn’t take us long to find it. Embedded under her skin, below the waistband of her jeans, close to her spine. She didn’t feel it go in. Between the adrenaline and the razor wire digging into her, she wouldn’t have.

Once we found hers, we called Silas and had him check his daughter. He had his own scanner—I didn’t ask why—and found hers in the back of her upper arm.

Unlike us, he wanted hers out immediately and planned to call one of the Doyle doctors. In the meantime, he ducked into a small market and grabbed aluminum foil to block the signal. Pauly’s idea.

Does it always work? No. However, it made Silas feel better and bought him time if it worked.

While we were focused on the trackers, Trent and Drake slipped through. My men were tied up helping me map out how to turn this in our favor and bring Rurik to us. It was risky. We needed more bodies to pull it off clean.

So, I made the call while Teddy took the scenic route. By the time he landed, our backup was already in position. After that, it was a waiting game.

Trent dropping by unexpectedly wasn’t part of the plan, but it worked. He was the diversion we didn’t know we’d need, and so we leaned into it.

Rurik checks his watch again, and I take the opening, “You expecting someone?”

His sense of control falters for the second time since entering the kitchen. His shifts, ready to make a move.

That’s when I fire my gun.

The shot cracks through the room, splitting the wood of the doorframe beside his head and stopping him cold.

“Next time I won’t miss,” I warn. “I figured you’d piece it together when all but one tracker stopped working.”

“So, you’re willing to risk her friends’ lives after all?” His eyes darken, but he doesn’t balk. “Saves me the trouble of pretending Lawerence’s death wasn’t intentional. Trinity won’t die. Not yet. She’ll be auctioned off instead. I hear the price is near five million after I shared that last video. My buyers love seeing them cry.”

Then his gaze shifts to Isabel, something perverse settles in his expression. “I’m not sure she’ll last long. Doesn’t have the same resilience you did, my sweet little princess. There’s something about watching a woman fight for her life.”

The fucker smirks, and it takes every ounce of strength I have not to end him now.

“Once you killed Marvin, the price just kept going up, topping off at fifteen before your friends busted up our glorious party.”

Isabel’s breath catches as she whispers, “Kill him. He doesn’t deserve to live.”

I don’t look at her. Can’t. Not now. It’s time.

Two things happen before I can pull the trigger. One, I’m expecting.

Bear barks.

It’s the signal I was waiting for.