Page 96 of Fractured Memories

“Come with you where? To Miles?”

Conor barks out a laugh. “Miles doesn’t know a thing. I am Parker’s contact. I’m the one who thought to take you, to wipe your memories and use you as a symbol. The mafia leader’s wife turned against him.” He’s grinning now, and I swallow against the burning air in my lungs, wishing I could kill him. “And that plan can still work as long as you cooperate. Another dose, and you’ll forget all about Kieran again.”

My mind is swimming, but even with the lack of oxygen, pieces start to click in place. Conor knew that Lochlan was going to be in the city when no one else did. Conor had the guard schedules and fought me over the building sweeps. Conor once reassigned a squad, and I believed he was just a fucking idiot.

My mind starts to piece together so many moments. His constant redirection of my focus. His surprise at Eden’s return. His more frantic and aggressive behavior over the last few months.

And he was the one insistent that we pour more resources into the clinics. Ones that would have the research to make weaponized air and antidotes, potentially whatever he dosed Eden with.

This trembling prick has been manipulating and betraying me, and I never saw it. He hid behind Miles. He used the rebels’ manpower. And in the end, he’s managed to bring me down.

Eden’s eyes meet mine, and I see the worry in them. I want to tell her to kill the bastard, that I’ll be okay, but I can’t speak. I can’t do anything as my body starts to tremble from whatever is being pumped into my system.

“Okay!” She turns to him, steeling her voice. “I’ll go with you. Just don’t let him die.”

With his eyes on Eden, I slide my hand a little higher. I’ve nearly reached the pocket. I just need her to keep him distracted a little longer.

As someone who could potentially get stabbed or shot at any moment, I don’t leave my home without a syringe tucked into a hidden pocket on either side of my shoulder holster. It’s almost invisible to everyone else, but it holds one thing that could keep me alive.

My vision is blurring, and I’m barely clinging to consciousness as Conor drags Eden from the room. I hope she fights him once they clear the house. I know my girl is smart and capable, and I just need her to wait until I make it to her.

Without fear that he’ll see me and shoot Eden, I rip the syringe from the pocket and inject it into my veins as I fight the collapse. As the shot of adrenaline floods my body, I grab my gun and shoot the window closest to me, cool air flooding the room. And as the medicine pushes my body to circulate oxygen faster, I feel the fresh air flushing the toxin from my system.

I push to a stand, anger replacing everything else.

Because he fucking took my wife.

CHAPTER 31

EDEN

Ihave never felt terror like this. I can’t get the image of Kieran out of my mind, his pale skin turning red as he struggled to breathe. While I knew a dozen different ways to get out from in front of that gun without getting shot, I couldn’t risk him.

That’s why I’m letting Conor drag me from the house, out a side door where the guards don’t see the weapon he has pointed at me, and toward the bridge. I can’t quite reach my gun without him seeing—though I honestly could take his; he’s being sloppy with keeping it aimed at me.

I’ve tucked my knife away, letting him think I’m being cooperative. In reality, I just need to get across the bridge. I’m not willing to fight him on the small walkway where either one of us could easily get thrown over, and I don’t know what other tricks he has if we stay too close to the house.

But on the other side of the bridge, I’ll easily be able to disarm him and rush to Nolan. I’ll be back to Kieran in minutes if I do this right, which means I’m matching Conor’s frantic pace. I just need to get to the other side with both of us alive—so we can kill him slowly later.

We’re nearly to the center of the bridge when a yell freezes us both, my heart leaping in my chest. “Conor!”

Looking back, I spot Kieran rushing toward the bridge. His skin is still red, and his movements aren’t as fluid as they normally are. But he’s still alive, breathing fresh air. And he’s coming for me.

“Fuck.” I barely catch the word before Conor shoves me backward. I’m not ready for the movement—so focused on Kieran—that I stumble and manage to catch myself on the thick metal cables that serve as a railing.

Conor sprints toward the other end of the bridge, and while I could easily catch up to him, I don’t need to. He is rushing toward the only way down the mountain, but there are so many guards on that side that I don’t worry that he’ll be slipping away.

Instead, I run the last few feet to Kieran, who opens his arms as I jump into them. My legs lock around his waist, his arms encircling me as he holds me close.

“You’re okay?” I breathe.

He pulls back, my hands sliding to cup his face. “I’m okay. But I’m going to kill that bastard.”

I chuckle. “Doesn’t Lochlan have the rights to that kill?”

“Not anymore,” he growls, one hand sliding up my back.

I lower my head, about to kiss Kieran when he freezes, eyes locked over my shoulder. I have just enough time to process why as I glance back to see Conor pause to press his hand against a post at the other end of the bridge.