A Spy's Home---Book 3: A Friend I've Never Met

Chapter 27

Rory's Point of View

I barely had time to recover from the last punch before Archer threw another one at me. Another wave of pain exploded in my skull as my head snapped to the side. I saw Josiah flinch, and look away, and I wondered why Archer was making him watch the torture.

Archer let out an excited "Phew" as I tried recovering from the punch, and moving my jaw in a circular motion. I had several open cuts on my face, and I could feel bruises taking form on my jaw bone.

However, despite the pain and the punches, I kept the defiant look plastered on my face; I wasn't going to give this maniac any satisfaction.

Seeing that my boldness hadn't been broken yet, Archer turned to Josiah, and exclaimed, "Josiah, wanna take a couple swings at this traitor?"

I saw Josiah tense up, and look back and forth between us again, like he did in the living room earlier.

"Actually, I think I'm gonna go back to my post. Can I be dismissed?" Josiah asked. I looked back at Archer, mentally sighing with relief that Josiah had refused, but then I thought of the consequences he might face and got worried for him.

Archer rolled his eyes, and gestured for him to leave; Josiah nodded, and sped out of the room.

My old mentor glared at me, and without warning, slammed his fist into my temple again. When will the torture ever end?

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Zylina's Point of View

My eyes examined the scene; Rory's parents were in the dining room of the apartment they were currently staying in Texas, happily going about their business, like nothing was wrong or out of place.

"If you don't understand what you are looking at, Zylina, we tracked Sarah and Benjamin Woods to Texas, and put cameras all over their house. The only reason that they're still alive is because I allowed it." the Boss explained.

My head snapped up when I heard the last part. "You're using them as leverage to get to me?" I questioned, angrily.

Another smile crept up on his face, as he laid down two more tablets. The stars of the live feed videos: The twins we saved in Findlay, and the boy Lilian rescued just tonight. They're all being watched, all being stalked.

The last tablet was in the Boss's grasp already activated. He slowly set it down in front of the others, but I didn't look down at it right away; I didn't want to see who else I had put in danger.

"I don't think you've told Rory about this one." That sentence was what got me to look down. C....Carlos?

Tears welled up in my eyes, as I saw Carlos with his Hermana and Padre at the dinner table, laughing and being happy.

"All these people, Zylina, are in danger because of you and Rory. If you come with me cooperatively I swear they will be left alone, or if you miraculously escape, then the next time we see you trying to rescue one of the kids...." There was a pause, and I forced myself to look up at the cursed man, as a small tear dropped off of my cheek.

The boss leaned forward until his face was inches away from mine, and he finished, "...I'll give the order to kill them, just like your parents."

I found that I couldn't breathe for a few long moments, as I processed his words. "My...My parents?" I stuttered, as the boss backed up.

My mind was blank, and my eyes just stared at him with horror. My parents are gone?

When I finally found my words again, the only thing I could stutter out was, "No...No, it's not true. You're lying just to get me to break."