Page 83 of Alpha Chained

Spinning on my heel, I race out of the security room, following the path Parker was taking based on the camera feed. As I run, the warning klaxons continue to blare, and that robotic voice ticks off the dwindling countdown mercilessly.

“Four minutes and thirty seconds until detonation…”

I take the turns at breakneck speed. Parker’s got a head start on me, but I’m faster, and I’m fueled by a hatred that’s been simmering inside me for a decade.

I’ll find that smug son of a bitch. And when I do, I’m going to make him pay for all the pain he’s caused.

“Four minutes until detonation…”

I can see him up ahead, that sleek briefcase still clutched to his chest as he flees. Parker glances over his shoulder, his eyes widening as he catches sight of me barreling toward him. He tries to put on an extra burst of speed, dropping his briefcase. It goes skittering away, papers spilling out across the floor as he shoves open a pair of tall double doors and charges through them with me on his heels.

It’s only when he comes to a sudden halt that I realize where we’ve ended up. All around us stretches the cavernous expanse of the fight arena, the very place where I was forced to brutalize so many others for Parker’s entertainment over the years. The heavy chain-link fencing of the octagon cage looms above us, illuminated by the flashing emergency lights.

“Three minutes and thirty seconds until detonation…”

“Well, well…” Parker lets out a breathless chuckle as he stares at me, seemingly unperturbed despite his predicament. “Look who’s decided to make an appearance. You always did love making an entrance,” he sneers.

“Save it,” I snarl. “This is where it all ends for you.”

He takes a brash stance in the center of the ring as I circle him, hands flexing at my sides, a predator sizing up its prey.

He eyes me warily. “Is that so? I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed, Riot. I was expecting more of a challenge from my prized fighter.”

“I’m not here to challenge you, Parker. I’m here to end you.” I run an eye over him. It won’t be much of a fight. But it will be the most satisfying one I can remember.

“Three minutes until detonation…”

Parker’s gaze flicks toward the ceiling at the sound of the computerized voice. A flicker of uncertainty crosses his features for the first time.

“You don’t want to do this,” he says, turning back to me. “We can walk away from all this, you and I. Start over, just like that.” He snaps his fingers.

I can’t help but let out a harsh bark of laughter at his audacity. “You think I’d go anywhere with you after what you’ve done?”

“I can make it worth your while.” There’s a hint of desperation in his voice now as he tries to bargain. “Wealth, power…anything you want. Just get me out of here, and it’s yours.”

“Two minutes and thirty seconds until detonation…”

I stare into those cold, flat eyes. “I don’t want anything from you,” I growl. “The only thing I want is to see you suffer for all the lives you’ve ended, the souls you’ve destroyed.”

My fists clench at my sides as I continue circling, watching as Parker bristles with indignation. He was always so smug, so self-assured. But not anymore.

Now, he’s nothing but a rat in a cage.

Parker’s gaze darts around, clearly trying to locate an escape route. But there is none. He’s trapped, just as I was for so many years.

“Souls!” he spits, still looking around. “You’re talking about fucking animals, Riot. Animals don’t have souls.”

“The only one in here without a soul is you, Parker,” I growl. “You’re just a coward who got his kicks from watching others suffer.”

His eyes narrow at the insult, his lips curling back in a snarl of rage. Good. I want him angry. Furious. Unhinged.

Because this is where it’s going to end. Right here in the belly of the beast that he created. And I want him to go down fighting.

“Two minutes until detonation…”

Again, Parker’s eyes flicker up in the direction of the sound. I know what he’s thinking.

We need to get out of here.

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