Burned Alive, Reborn Anew

abandoned warehouse district by the docks, the location the kidnappers had given them. Olivia insisted I come alo

ports car. I had no intention of being a hero this time. My

ting outside, armed with bats and pipes. Ethan, flanked by his two equally slick-looking

is voice trying for firm but comi

ing down his cheek, laughed. "Not so f

Reed tied to a chair. She looked terrified

s safe," Ethan blustered, trying to negotia

ating a kidnapping like a business deal

Ethan with utter shock. Even from a dist

fear. "What are you doing? Just pay them! My

r that? Your grandma's got more sense than you. Trying to

athetic attempt at bravado. They saw him for what

ucas!" Ethan shouted, a desperate, pathetic j

e selfish, more pathetic, not just to the kidnappers, but more importantly, to Grand

er face pale. She was watching her perfect, wealthy lov

he was a shrewd woman, a matriarch who valued loyalty and family image above all else.

as my

eliberate. I walked past a stunned Olivia an

ice quiet but carryin

ion to me, sizing me up. "An

aid, ignoring the insu

d out m

ay the

Ethan and Olivia stared at me in disbelief. But

use, I saw a flicker of something new: surprise,

pered, her voice

voice loud enough for everyone to

calculated performance. Every word, every action, was