Page 195 of Sage Haven

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What was the point?

Hugh followed closely, grinning the entire time. "Good thing I like them young, brother," he said.

And I knew.

I knew what was coming next.

I sobbed. Completely broken.

There was nothing left of me to save.

They stopped in front of a massive metal freezer.

Hugh opened the door.

Cold air spilled out in a rush, wrapping around me, biting deep.

I didn’t fight when they shoved me in.

I didn’t move. I barely breathed.

Klay leaned in, close enough I could feel his breath on my ear. "See you soon, whore," he whispered.

I saw something flash in his eyes, something not human.

And then the door slammed shut.

Darkness. Silence. Nothing.

44

REICH

Hanging up with Keenanand Nael should’ve given me relief. It should’ve lessened the weight crushing my chest. But it didn’t. If anything, it made it worse.

The risk was still there—gnawing, ruthless.

One wrong move.

One second too slow.

And Sage was gone.

Not lost. Not missing.

Gone.

I dragged a hand down my face, inhaling slow through my nose as if that would force air into my lungs that barely worked right now.

Nael had said the plan was solid. Foolproof.

But I knew better.

Nothing was ever foolproof. Not when human lives were involved. Not when your heart was on the line.

And Sage was my heart.

Even if I’d been too fucking blind to admit it to myself until now.

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