Page 176 of Ignite

I walk her in and close the door, locking it too.

“One down, seven more to go.”

“Yeah, I can count,” I snap back to Dec.

“Movement near checkpoint three. Two of them confirmed in this area,” Rowan says through my earpiece.

“On my way.”

“Still searching for Hallie. It’s going to be a task. The masks aren’t helping.” Drago’s serious voice cuts in through my ear.

“I hunt for sport. I’ll find her.”

And I’ve got a taste for her, which works even better in my favor.

Making my way over to the checkpoint, I keep my footsteps light and listen out for movement.

I’m still having an internal debate between my head and my heart.

When I catch Hallie, do I reveal the truth and pray she forgives me? Or do I just set her free, no words exchanged?

I shake away the anxiety this gives me.

I know what she deserves—the damn truth. I can’t let her live her life in fear, thinking whoever took her and brought her here is coming back for her.

I can’t lie there with her in my arms at night, knowing what I’ve done.

I’m going to have to find my balls and tell her everything and deal with the consequences.

It’s shit. It’s going to hurt.

I’m just praying that she at least hears me out. I don’t want to lose her.I can’t lose her.

Chapter 63

HALLIE

I’ve counted six flares go off so far. Well…a couple of them I’m not sure weren’t gunshots.

I haven’t moved a muscle. I have no clue how long I’ve been up here.

There’s rustling beneath me. I peer down, quiet as I can, and my heart hammers against my ribs.

It’s one of the contestants.

And I think…it’s just between me and her now. If I’m right about the flares meaning a woman’s been eliminated, then we’re the last two.

I rest my head back against the tree trunk and hold my breath.

When I win…how do I know they won’t just kill me? How do they know that I won’t go straight to the cops? Am I going to forever be looking over my shoulder, waiting to be taken again?

That isn’t a life I want.

I don’t trust them. I don’t trust any of this.

Am I supposed to still run?

Fuck.

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