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It’s not a choice It’s his way End of story

God, I want to refuse hi have this ins to tremble, I’m helpless to resist whatever he wants of ainst him And I’m not stupid I don’t want to die Not today Not like this

Ryder…again brushes across my heart, but he’s not here No one is It’s just me In this dark room With two hired killers

“Yes Yes,” I gasp, statue-still, afraid if I un will move, too “I understand”

The man doesn’t respond, not that I really expected him to He moves behind the caun

My stoain read what’s written on the page,the words there I can do this I et here He needs to know I’m okay Scared, yes, but okay, and I’ll be okay (I hope) until he gets here

After my internal pep talk, I draw in a deep breath and find that source of strength deep inside ht into the caer, but that will change if you don’t announce your retireood reason You need ti this for your family There are no more chances Time has officially run out”

Off to the side of the caain, noith ainside me not to coay fro…”

The gun presses to h that door any second and kill the man next to me

When said un’s e the final line written out for me, “I die”

Chapter 16

Ryder

The third oes black, and it’s only then that I can breathe again I hang ainst the cool ain the control slipping out of my reach

Inhale…The ropes cutting into Hadley’s wrists

Exhale…The fear in her eyes