Page 108 of Knight

“Your work?” I snort, fingers still moving over the keyboard. “You mean what you blackmailed smarter people into creating? Real inspiring stuff. Truly groundbreaking.”

"Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer incentivized." Sullivan’s smile tightens. “Stop typing, Knight.”

I arch an eyebrow, but my fingers don’t falter from inputting code.

Stalling is the name of the game now. Every second I keep him talking is another second giving my brothers a chance to get into position.

“Why? You planning to shoot the only person who can keep this place from imploding? Bold move, Sullivan. Really leaning into that villain trope. You’ll be growing a mustache to twirl next.”

His gun shifts slightly, angling toward my leg. “I only need you alive, not unharmed.”

“Creative. Did you come up with that all by yourself, or is that another thing youincentivizedsomeone else to do?” My fingers are flying now, the virus embedding itself deeper into his precious network. “Seriously, I expected more. Where’s the long-winded monologue? The threats? The explanation on how this is beneficial to the world. You’re kind of phoning it in.”

His eyes narrow, and he steps closer. “You don’t understand who you’re dealing with.”

“Oh, I understand perfectly. Big fish in a small pond, desperate to prove he’s more than a glorified thief. You’re practically a walking cliché.”

More guards file into the room, weapons trained on my brothers. Sullivan's smile widens as the odds shift further in his favor.

"I must admit, I'm impressed. Breaking in here took real skill. Skill I could use."

"Hard pass."

The virus reaches their core systems. One keystroke will trigger total destruction. One press and everything burns.

"I planned to acquire your skills eventually." He gestures expansively. "Your reputation in certain circles is quite impressive. But you came right to me. That was very convenient of you."

I glance at Rook. His jaw tightens, and his gaze flicks to Bishop. Bishop nods, just once. My hand hovers over the key.

Fuck it.

"You talk too much."

My finger hits the key. Alarms blare as the virus floods their network. Screens flicker, servers groan, and Sullivan’s empire crumbles.

"Kill them all!" he orders.

Gunfire explodes around me. Bullets tear through the air. Sparks shower down.

Pain ignites in my side, sharp and all-consuming. I stagger, the world tilts.

And then, I fall.

CHAPTER SIXTY

Evangeline

Sleep releases me slowly,my body pleasantly sore in ways that bring heat to my cheeks as memories surface. When I reach out for Knight, I expect the familiar warmth of his body beside me. But the space is cold.

He isn’t here.

I bolt upright, heart pounding as I scramble to grab clothes and pull them on.

Something isn’t right.

The hallway is empty when I step out of the bedroom. My bare feet make no sound on the hardwood floor as I move toward the kitchen, hoping to find Knight and his brothers waiting there. But when I walk into the room, cold coffee sits in the pot, and there’s a used mug in the sink.

"They're gone."

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