British Exchange Agent

Chapter 41

Trey's P.O.V.

My hand shook as I gripped onto the gun tightly, murderous anger streaming through my veins to my fingertips. My breathing was heavy, my heart pounding.

For so many years, I wondered what was really behind my parents death. I knew it wasn't the car crash they had faked. No. I always knew it was pure murder.

Now, after all these years, the man responsible for their death stood behind the barrel of my gun.

Hatrov kept his eyes fixed on mine as he spoke slowly. Deliberately.

"Yes, I helped killed your parents. You can shoot me if you want; I understand. But I also spared Kayla's life. I am your ticket to freedom."

My hands started to tremble more violently, my finger squeezing down slightly on the trigger.

"How?" I demanded, my voice full of raw emotion. My breathing short and sharp gulps of oxygen. "How have you saved her life? My sister." I paused, my whole body shaking. I took in a deep breath. "My sister is currently being held hostage by your boss."

"I can help you retrieve her." He stated slowly, stressing the words out, eyes on mine. My finger trembled on the trigger.

"This isn't some smash and grab job." I seethed, my voice bitter. "This is a complex hostage rescue. You can't rely on the element of surprise." I scoffed, my finger beginning to squeeze down.

"I am aware of that." Hatrov replied calmly. "However I also know how Dereck thinks. Shoot me if you would like; I've lived an adequate life." He shrugged nonchalantly. "I'd prefer to help Kayla though."

My ears ringed. Head felt light. Lungs screamed. Chest heaved.

And my finger pulled down on the trigger.

***

Kayla's P.O.V.

I had been curled up in the dark for what seemed like days. My brain told me it had only been hours, but my eyes tricked me. Darkness.

Pure, pitch black.

That's what I had been left in. My mind was being consumed with plans to escape. Every minute, every second, I went through all possible scenarios. Step-by-step plans.

None of them lead anywhere.

Hours more dragged by, time crawling slowly. So slowly. Or maybe it had been days? There was no concept of time in the dark, barren room.

I shivered, the icy claw of regret trailing down my spine. I blinked, blurry shapes beginning to flutter around in the dark.

But there was nothing there. Nothing.

***

Trey's P.O.V.

He didn't flinch. Didn't blink. Didn't move.

Hatrov stared me straight in the eyes as the bullet skimmed his ear, chipping away a piece of skin. The bullet flew past, embedding itself in the wall.

I let out a low, shuddering breath, before unloading the gun and chucking it to the floor. Hatrov gave me a slow, accepting nod. My eyes narrowed into a piercing glare.

"Don't think this changes how I feel about you." I spat. "The only reason you're still alive is because of Kayla."

He nodded again.

"I understand that."

I watched as scarlet fluid trickled down the side of his ear, slowly dropping down onto his neck. I scowled, throwing my heated gaze to the others in the room. They watched me cautiously. Curiously.

"So how are we going to get her out?" I demanded, interrupting the suffocating silence. Cyrus ran a hand down his face, breathing out deeply.

"Dereck's expecting us to break in and rescue her. We need to be smarter than that." He clicked his fingers, eyes lightening ever so slightly. "How about we don't."

"What?" I blurted out, eyebrows furrowed. What was he on about now?

"What if...what if we gave her the tools to escape."

"That might actually work." Alejandro murmured thoughtfully.

"We just need a distraction." Cyrus nodded. "Alright, we need to track someone down."

I rolled my eyes. "Who?"

"A girl called Jewel."

*~*~*~*~*

Hey guys!

Very very late update today 😬 Sorry for the wait! This book's coming to an end now, which is bittersweet. It's been a long journey ;)

What did you think of this chapter? Did you expect Trey to let Hatrov live?

Thank you for all your votes and comments! I can't believe this book has reached 200k reads!!

Sneak peak: the plan comes into action.

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