Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
“Nia,” Wolfe asks again.
“Do you have anyone who can hack computer systems or not?”
Wolfe blinks, slowly. “No, but I know someone.”
“Get everyone together. I just figured out how we are going to end this.”
I just came up with a plan.
If it works, this will be over...
For good.
THE CLUB IS GATHERED in the middle of the warehouse, their eyes on me. I can feel the weight of their stares, the doubt, the skepticism. My heart is a wild mess in my chest, but I know I have to do this. I take a deep breath, looking at each of them, knowing my whole world depends on this moment.
"I have a plan," I say, my voice clear, unwavering. "But it’s risky, and it could go wrong, but if it goes right...we could all be free of this. You could all be free of me."
Mera frowns at my words, but nobody else flinches.
I’m certain this club won’t be sad to see the back of me, and while that hurts, I have made my mind up. I’m going to do this for them, because it is the only way. I’ll take the risk, for them, for Lily. If it means they go free, and aren’t bothered for the rest of their lives by the cult, then I’m okay with it.
If it means Lily is free, I’ll do it a million times over.
Knox snorts, crossing his arms. “Sounds good to me then.”
I ignore him, my eyes on Wolfe. In the end, it’s him I have to convince. “The entire compound has a security system that they monitor through screens in a back room. It’s only something they have recently put in, and not willingly. They fully believe in their ‘off-grid’ living but unfortunately with the world around us, people were getting far too curious and sneaking in to get a look at what was going on. My father had no choice but to set it up properly.”
Wolfe looks confused, so I get straight to the point. “I’ll go in tonight, find Talon and instruct him to take Lily and leave. I’m not leaving, though. I’m going to let my father find me. The thing about my father is...he is big on punishment. That is what I want, though.”
“What the fuck are you talkin’ about?” Zane mutters. “Not makin’ a lick of sense.”
I go on. “Before I find Talon, I’m going to sneak into the security room and allow the hacker to gain access to the system. When he goes, he is going to swap it over and livestream it anywhere he possibly can. Social media, even the dark web. It will be out there for the world to see – I can guarantee it goes viral in a matter of minutes. Something like that will grab on and take off. We’re going to tip the police off, at the right time, and when everyone sees what it is they’re doing...they will come crashing down. They will be arrested, the world will see who they are, and the cult will be no longer.”
I finish speaking and hold my breath, waiting.
Zane shakes his head. “It’s insane. How do you know they won’t fuckin’ catch you before you get in there?”
“It’s a risk, of course, but unless any of you have a better plan, this is the only way.”
The room goes silent, and I see the shock, the disbelief. Wolfe’s eyes narrow, assessing me.
“You’re gonna sacrifice yourself?” he asks, his voice low.
“In a sense, yes. They want me more than anything. While they’re busy with me, Talon will get away with Lily. I’ll let my father catch me, let him think he has the upper hand. It’s the least I can do, after everything. I’m willing to take the risk, if you are.”
Knox growls. “You’re outta your mind, girl.”
“Maybe,” I say, my voice firm. “But it’s the only option we have. They will kill Talon if they catch him, and I can’t have that. I won’t. This is the only thing that could work, and if we pull it off, the world will see the monsters they truly are and the police will have no choice but to step in.”
Wolfe nods slowly, a grudging respect in his eyes. “You’re serious about this?”
“Deadly.”
The room is quiet, and I feel the tension, the uncertainty. But I also feel the shift, the slow acceptance. They know it’s the best shot we have. There is no other option without risking the club, or innocent lives.
“Then let’s do it,” Wolfe says finally. “I’ll call in the hacker.”
Mera’s voice is uneasy. “Are you sure, Nia? You don’t have to—”
“Yes, I do.” I look at her, my heart twisting. “After everything, this is my choice and I’m not changing my mind.”
Kael frowns, his eyes hard. “You aren’t going in unarmed. I’m going to find you a weapon, something you can hide so they won’t find it. At the very least, you need some kind of protection if this goes south.”