Diane’s POV
I storm up the stairs, my boots heavy against the wooden floor. There’s no time to waste. I shove open Reyna’s door and find her sprawled across the bed, her eyes barely open.
Before she can react, I grab her wrist and yank her up.
“What the hell?” she mumbles, still groggy.
“We’re going for a little ride,” I say, my grip tightening.
Reyna’s lips curl into a smirk. “A little ride?” she repeats, tilting her head. “Or did Jake and John finally show up to save me?”
I slap her before she can say another word. The sound cracks through the silence.
“Shut up,” I snap. “Or I’ll ruin that pretty face of yours. Then no one will bother looking at it.”
She blinks, then lets out a chuckle. “Even if you ruin my face, even if you kill me, what makes you think Jake and John won’t do the same to you?”
I drag her toward the hallway leading to the back exit, my nails digging into her arm. “If you survive tonight, you should be grateful,” I sneer. “Because I don’t think Jake and John stand a chance against Damon.” I glance at her, my voice dripping with amusement. “But I’d love to see just how much they love you.”
Reyna doesn’t respond, but I see the flicker of doubt in her eyes.
Good.
I shove her through the back gate, forcing her down a hidden path toward an old, forgotten cellar. The door groans as I yank it open, shoving her inside.
“You’ll stay here for a while,” I say, stepping back. “I have other things to take care of.”
I turn to leave but hesitate, glancing back at her. A wicked smile spreads across my lips.
“Did you know Stephanie is a rogue?” I say, my voice laced with mockery. “She’s been lying to you all this time. So tell me, what are you gonna do about that?”
Reyna meets my gaze without flinching. “None of your business,” she says coolly. “I’ll deal with that when I get out of here.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “If you get out.”
With that, I slam the cellar door shut and lock it.
Let her sit in the darkness for a while.
I have a war to win.
___
Jake’s POV
I gripped my gun tighter, scanning the estate. Every second that passed made me more restless. I turned to Sarah, my voice low but sharp. “Are you sure this is the place?”
She shot me an annoyed look. “If you don’t believe me, then leave,” she snapped. “I’ll get Reyna to safety on my own.”
I scoffed. “Not a chance. I’m not leaving Reyna’s safety in your hands.”
John let out an exasperated sigh. “Can you two quit arguing? We don’t have time for this.”
Sarah crossed her arms. “Once we save Reyna, I’m taking Steph and leaving. That way, you both can stop calling me a liar.”
I glanced at John, noticing a shift in his expression. His jaw tensed, his usual calm demeanor replaced with something darker. Was it anger? Sadness? I couldn’t tell.
Before I could say anything, the front door creaked open. Damon stepped out onto the porch, his presence commanding the entire space. Even in the shadows, his smirk was unmistakable.
“I know you’re out there,” he called, his voice smooth yet taunting. “Why don’t you come out and face me like men?”
John tensed beside me. Sarah inhaled sharply.
Damon took another step forward. “If you’re here for Reyna, you’re wasting your time. I made sure she was taken somewhere you’ll never find her.”
My hands clenched into fists.
He tilted his head, his smirk widening. “But don’t worry, I’d be happy to keep you entertained in the meantime. I’ll even let you decide do you want me to tear you apart one by one, or should I let my men have some fun first?”
My pulse pounded. Every instinct in me screamed to charge forward, but something felt off. Then it hit me-I hadn’t seen Stephanie in a while.
I spun toward Sarah. “Where the hell is Stephanie?”
Sarah hesitated for a second too long.
“Where is she?” I demanded.
She groaned. “She went to the only place she knows Damon would have taken Reyna.”
My stomach twisted. “And you didn’t think to mention that earlier?”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “How about you focus on what’s in front of you, Jake? Reyna will be fine.”
A sudden gunshot rang through the air, the bullet slamming into the tree inches from my head.
We ducked, exchanging quick glances.
Then we heard it-footsteps. Heavy, fast, and closing in.
We looked around, realizing too late that we were surrounded.
Damon chuckled, his voice laced with amusement. “Looks like the fun’s about to start.”
A sharp pain exploded at the back of my head. My vision blurred, darkness swallowing me whole before I even hit the ground.