Page 28 of Rebellion of a Kingdom

“Great. Remember what I said, in and out as quiet as possible and stick to your planned routes. Recon has both Elliot and Greg at the Mayor's house for his annual bullshit Christmas party, which means Cassie should be where Ash's contact said.”

I take a deep breath, digesting all the information I’ve already heard and just pray we have done enough. Nothing can go wrong. It just can’t. When we all nod in silent agreement, he continues.

“Okay, well there is only one thing left to do then.” He adds solemnly and we all grimace at that. “I am comfortable with doing it, I have known both of them a long time, they are my friends, but I can keep it short and to the point.”

“Yeah, I’m sure that will help.” Asher snorts in disgust. He thinks this is the worst possible thing to do. Thinks we shouldn’t, but we have to.

“We have no choice; we need her to come home.” Mason adds quietly.

“This is going to break her.” Jace replies bitterly.

“She’s already fucking broken.” I boom and they all quieten. This is probably the worst thing we are about to do to Elle. We are about to rip her world apart even more than it already is. Max says it’s the only way.

Logan breaks the silence, “I’ll do it,” we all look at him. “I’m their brother, it should be me.” His tone is full of despair and I know how much pain he is in. How much pain I am in and how much pain Elle is about to be in.

Max nods, pulls the burner phone from his pocket, and walks across the room to meet Logan, “Make the call.”

Whatever it takes.

Chapter 17

ELLE

Iam covered in sweat and blood. The guy in front of me is someone I have wanted to kill for an exceedingly long time. Brett Buckley. He is one of three men who held me down while Greg ruined me. I have never forgotten his face, his laugh or the feel of his fucking fingers digging into my skin. None of it. From the potent smell of cigars to the stench of his sweat. All of it has been engraved into my mind since that night. Greg might have been the only one to rape me, but that doesn’t mean the others aren’t just as guilty. They all deserve to bathe in the Devil’s flames for what they force girls to endure. I aim to cause them just as much pain in return.

I relish in the sound of my knuckle duster smashing into his cheek as he screams out in pain. The more time that slips by without Cassie, the more I am losing control. I could have just put a bullet in his head and moved on, but he needs more than that. I need more. That’s how we ended up here. In my torture cabin in the middle of butt fuck nowhere as I beat him bloody. I picked him up at his house, drugged him, threw him in the trunk and then dragged him in here.

For the last hour. I have taken my time in learning all about what makes him scream. Most guys would love the thought of me getting to know their bodies intimately, certainly sounds appealing. But not how I do it. First, I shattered his kneecap with a hammer, then I cut off all of his toes. When his cries got louder, I sliced open his forearms. There is blood everywhere. It’s fucking beautiful.

I punch him again and the burn of the exertion makes me feel fucking alive, reminds me why I’m here and what I’m fighting for.

“What’s the matter Buckley, not a fan of the screams when they're your own?” I taunt as I drag the blade in my other hand down his cheek. He cries out again. His face is a mixture of tears, sweat and blood. Something I know he has seen on countless victims, but he still thinks he can defend himself.

“I didn't even touch you. Greg wouldn't let us; you were too important to him.” Does he think that makes it better? Like, is he that fucked up, he thinks I would accept that as his defense?

His answer pisses me the fuck off and I stab my knife right into his hand. “So, whose fingerprints bruised my legs as they held me down, whose laughs haunted my nights? Did I just make all that up?” I scream at him as I fight back my own tears. I won’t allow him to bring out that weakness in me again.

“You’re scum. You think just because you didn’t penetrate me with your disgusting dick that it’s okay? How many times did you watch Greg take someone against their will? How many girls were given to you to keep you quiet and compliant.” I laugh in disbelief at his audacity. “There’s a special place in hell for men like you and it’s time you went there.”

My ringtone blares from my bag and I frown at being interrupted, but Max said he would only call me if it was an emergency. I’ve heard from him a few times by text. He’s sent me information, warnings, bullshit. This is the first time he is calling. I huff, but move to the table, drop my knife, wipe my hands on my pants and then pick up the phone.

“Yes.” I answer in a no-nonsense tone. This might be an emergency but I’m kind of fucking busy right now and in case he hasn’t noticed, I sort of have my own def con one kind of shit going on.

“Elle?” My name is barely a whisper, “it’s me.” Logan’s guarded voice filters down the line and it pulls me from the murderous edge I have been on for the last week. It’s so familiar and safe that I feel like it can’t be real. It feels as if I haven’t heard his voice in months.

I pull the phone from my ear and check the screen, I see Max’s number lit up and pull the phone back, “Logan?” I ask even though I know it’s him, “everything okay?”

He takes a deep breath, going silent. After a couple of seconds, I hear Marcus murmur next to him, “This is bullshit. Give me the phone.” Just a few words and they crack my already shattered heart. I miss him so much. I miss them all. Regret so many things between us, but I know he understands. I can tell from the stern tone he just used on Logan. He isn’t falling apart without me; he’s fighting for me.

Just like I knew he would. Just like I needed him too.

“Logan?” I push again as panic starts to creep through me, and he sighs again.

“It’s Zack...” He pauses like he is trying to think what to say before he adds, “he’s gone Elle, we lost him. You need to come home.”

I barely breathe, I grip the phone so tight it burns my fingers. Zack is dead. The words blow my already broken world apart. I’m too late. He didn’t make it. My brother is dead.

“Elle, we need you to come home.” It’s Max’s voice I hear this time, his serious and bossy tone gutting me further. I lost my brother; he lost a friend. We fucking lost.

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