Page 59 of Twisted Thorns

The darkness envelops us, providing a cloak for our infiltration. Finn and I move with stealthy precision through the shadows, using every ounce of our training and experience to navigate undetected. My senses heightened, attuned to the slightest sounds as we crept further to the east wing where Finn's second was waiting.

A single thought consumed my mind: Avalina. She was the reason for every bullet loaded, every weapon held, and every life risked. And I would do whatever it took to bring her home.

My heart pounds in my chest, each beat echoing through the darkness like a war drum. As we round a corner, we spot two guards, their backs turned toward us as they whisper to each other. With silent nods, we split, each moving to take down one of the guards.

"Have you heard about the girl?" one of the guards asks, his words dripping with curiosity.

"Rumors, mostly," the other replies, a chuckle rumbling in his throat. "I hear she's quite the prize."

My blood boils at the thought of these men discussing Avalina as if she were nothing more than a trophy. Slipping behind my target, I wrap my arm around his neck, cutting off his air supply as Finn does the same to his opponent. Within moments, both guards lay unconscious on the ground.

"Nicely done," Finn grunts, admiration lacing his words. "Now let's find Avalina and get the hell out of here." He approaches a wall of the mansion and presses against something I can't see. A series of quiet knocks and the wall moves, a light from inside the house shining through the gap.

I follow Finn into the sliver of light, Cass and Liam filling in behind us. We're hunched over in a small tunnel, slowly carved away with careful precision. A set of industrial string of lights dot the wall, casting harsh shadows on the stone. I know from the stories that this tunnel leads to Finn's room, and was forged into creation during boisterous parties to hide the noise.

Finn's second, Ethan, stands before us, and even though I barely know the man, I know something was wrong by the way his jaw is tense, wanting to hold back the word that would damn his soul under the reign of my fury.

"They moved her," he mutters to Finn, blue eyes dancing in my direction. Yes, Ethan knows exactly what kind of wrath is simmering in my veins.

"To where?" I demand, stepping up into Ethan's face.

Finn doesn't even blink. He just steps in between me and Ethan, taking control and giving me a moment to choke my rage into submission once more.

"I'm not sure what he's doing. He took her out of the basement. They're all gathered in the foyer now."

"Well, fuck."

"Why? What does that mean?" Liam asks.

I know Finn can feel my eyeballs burning with rage in the back of his skull.

"He was always one for theatrics." Finn mumbles as he runs a hand through his hair.

"Finn..." I warn.

"He's not going to keep her caged. He's taking her out front, where everyone can see her. Where you can see her."

"And then what is he going to do?" Cass whispers.

"Fuck if I'm waiting here to find out," I say as I turn on my heel towards the door. I hear Liam's curse before his hand slams on my shoulder, whipping me around and against the wall. A roar begins to make its way up my throat as I move to push Liam aside when I feel the cool press of a knife against my neck.

I shift my eyes to see Cass leaning against the wall next to me with the echo of death on her face, a bigger threat than the sharp edge she holds against me. "Shut up and listen, Kieran, before you get us all killed."

I don't dare move, not with the blade pushing ever so slightly harder against my skin, a promise I knew Cass will fulfill if she felt I'm not able to rein it in, to pull the monster back by its chains into its cage.

I close my eyes and take a breath. "I'm listening."

Chapter 32

Kieran

We take our posts around the back, lined up with the sole purpose of herding Sean and his men where we want them, out front to their cars waiting on the driveway. The only problem? Avalina is with him.

The moon hangs low in the sky, an eerie crimson glow casting long shadows across the field. My heart pounds like a drum in my chest, a drumbeat of anticipation and fear as we approach the O'Neil stronghold. I can feel Finn's presence beside me, the tense energy radiating from my friend's body.

"Ready?" Finn whispers, his breath warm against Kieran's ear. I couldn't help but admire the man's unwavering loyalty, even in the face of such danger.

"Ready," I reply, my voice barely audible. Our eyes locked, a silent communication passing between us - a shared understanding of the risks we were about to take, all for the sake of rescuing Avalina.

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