The Negotiator's Cruelest Game

f incident?" My mind was a maelstrom of Harrison, B

e strained. "Just that it's related to one of their encrypted netw

a top-tier cybersecurity analyst for a clandestine government agency, the same one my father had served.

y real, powerful self hidden to be a supportive wi

, from my own family, to better control me. He had painted my brother as jealous and vol

lmost su

in," I said, my voice thick wi

a. A transport is waiting fo

. As I was about to leave, Harrison came home. He l

e soft and gentle. "Let'

x," I said, my voice a

ssion shifting to one of confusion, then anger. "

hild with another woman, Harrison. The one who kille

color drained from his c

id, pushing past him. "No

on," I said. "Us. Whatev

. His face was a mask of fury and desperation. "No,"

, his grip like iron. I saw something in his pocket-a smal

s gave out. The world sta

voice a venomous caress in my ear as he car

d him on the phone with Brooke. His v

To a private facility on a remote island. S

unstable, shipping me off to a

y," Brooke's voice purred through the phone. "Thank y

and sea. I was on a boat, the engine rumbling be

voice called from the shore, a final,

had to stay awake. I dug my fingernails into the palm of my

hought, a cold, hard certainty solidifying

descended from the night sky. Ropes dropped to the deck, and figure

zon. He clutched the railing, a single tear tracing a path through the

g her arms around his waist. "It's

erupted in a massive fireball, lighting up the sky. T

a mask of horror. "AVA!" he screamed, h

of fire and smoke. There was nothing lef