“Why am I here now?”

He takes another bite and my mouth waters. I’m fucking starving. “Hungry?”

“I’m on a diet.”

The stupid bastard laughs. “This will be your last chance. Your body is shutting down. There’s no fight left in your eyes, Mark. This could all be over. I could get you some food, a shower, clean clothes. All I need is for you to help me.”

“I’d rather die. You should know, when I make it through this, I plan to kill each and every last one of you.”

“You couldn’t fight your way out of a paper bag at this point. But I appreciate your tenacity. You would’ve made a fantastic operative.” He stands and places his gun on the table with his hand hovering over it. “I’m sorry it’ll all end like this. I liked you, but my son didn’t.”

Son? What the ever-loving hell is going on? “Who the hell is your son, and what does any of this have to do with a file or me?” I’m not sure if I’m hallucinating this entire situation, but I find any ounce of strength I have left. I need that gun. I have to end this. Then he’ll see how it feels to be at my mercy.

As if the prick can read my thoughts, he leans back.

“I could tell you, but that would ruin the fun.” We stare at each other for a beat. “I hope you see your girlfriend in hell, since I killed her in this very chair not even an hour ago. She pleaded for your life, but I think it’s only fair you’re reunited”

My heart stops. She can’t be dead. I couldn’t have failed her.

He lifts the gun.

I’ve been in this situation before, but this time it’s different. The world becomes a little sharper. Nothing slows, instead everything comes into focus. I see her clear as day. Her blue eyes, her dark brown hair, the way her face always looks as if she’s ready to take on the world. My Charisma. I knew she would own me the minute I laid eyes on her. There was nothing tying us together, but I felt secured. No matter what, she’ll be the last name I utter, and the last thing I see when I close my eyes. But that moment isn’t now. He ripped her away from me, and I’m going to end him. I’m going to make him pay for ever hurting her.

I fought because I thought she was alive. If she’s gone . . . I’ll follow her.

Rage fills me.

The need to destroy him overpowers any self-preservation I have left. I won’t let them take me like this. I will never surrender.

Before I can think, I’m rushing toward him as though I’m a rabid animal. I’ll go down fighting. I’ll draw blood because he ruined the reason I exist. She’s the air I breathe, the reason my heart beats, and I never got to tell her.

Shock registers in his eyes before I lunge for the gun. “You son of a bitch!” I shout as my hand connects with the barrel.

My hands move to grab the gun. I battle with all I have. Somehow, I manage to get it out of my face. I’m weak and he pushes me off easily. I step back with my arms lifted. “Look, I don’t know where the hell the file is. I’ve been beaten, starved, beaten again. Don’t you think by this point you’d have the file?”

“What makes you think she didn’t tell us everything?” His arm raises again as he takes the sight. I’m about to die at the hands of the CIA.

“Then why kill me?” I ask. I need to keep him talking.

I shuffle to the right with my hands still up in the air. We circle as I think of a way to extend this conversation. His arm drops slightly and relief seeps through. No, fuck that. I can’t afford relief. This guy will kill me the second he has a chance. My legs keep going, but I’m so tired. I don’t know how long I can keep this up.

“Because you know too much. You didn’t really think you’d make it out of here, did you? Let’s be real. You know what I look like, and you’ve probably pieced together who I am. But then, you still don’t know who is behind all of your misfortunes. Such a shame.”

“Since I’m going to die, might as well tell me.”

He chuckles and lifts his arm back up. “Not a chance. You’re going to die completely in the dark.”

This is it. He’s done talking, and so am I. My body tenses as I prepare for my final chance to end this.

I think of Charlie, how she would’ve fought to the end. I think of Jackson, Natalie, Catherine, Liam, and Aaron . . . I think of my mother, Garrett, and how they’ll suffer, but they’ll know this wouldn’t have been in vain. They’ll find Charlie’s information because of the tips I left for Frank. Hopefully, he found my note and discovered who these sons of bitches are.

His left eye closes, and his finger tightens on the trigger. I lunge.

The sound rings through the air, but I keep going. Nothing will stop me.

Blood spills everywhere. All I see is red, but I charge forward. Another pop goes off, but I have nothing left.

My legs go out and I crumble to the ground on top of him.

This is what dying feels like.

Weightless, numb, and calm.

Charlie

“Wake up!” I slap his face. “Mark, baby, you have to get up! We have to get the hell out of here!”

He’s almost unrecognizable.

Nothing could’ve prepared me for this.

There are so many broken bones, so much blood and bruising. His pulse is weak, but he’s alive. Tears threaten to pool, but I don’t have time to cry. I need to get him out of here. Bloodstains cover his clothing as I rip it open to see if he was hit.

His entire chest is painted in bruises—every inch is yellow, purple, blue, or black. “What did they do to you?” I choke on the words.

“Charlie, we have maybe three minutes before they light up the place,” Mandi yells as she peers down the hall. “There’s no time.”

“I’m not leaving him!” I grab water, pour it down his throat, and then splash some on his face. “Come on, Mark. Look at me!” My voice isn’t my own. I’m near hysterics, but he’s not responding. “Get Jackson in here!”

“You did this to him,” Christopher Asher taunts. “All of this is because of you.”

I turn to him and raise my weapon. “Don’t say another word or I’ll put a bullet between your eyes before anyone can protect you. I’ll end your pathetic excuse for a life, and smile while doing it. But I’ll shoot you in about ten other places first. I’ll make you cry, suffer, and beg for me to stop.”

“Charlie,” Mandi warns. “We need him.”

“Get Jackson,” I say while I lower my gun.

Mandi nods and then rushes from the room as I hold Mark’s head in my lap. “I’m so sorry. They hid you so well. It took us a little time, but we finally found him. I’m here for you. Just you. Please, I love you.” I let the tears fall this time. I can’t stop them. One drops down my face, landing on his cheek. “I love your stupid pain in the ass, and I need you to open your eyes.”

My hands roam his body for a bullet wound. Christopher fired, but we got a shot off first. I still have no idea if he was hit. I’m running on pure fear and adrenaline.

Mandi and I got in just in time, and then the jackass almost ruined everything by lunging at Christopher. As soon as I saw the light flick in his eyes, I knew I had to move. Mark was done with the charade of talking, and so was Christopher. I’ve felt that same final burst of spirit enter my eye, the one that means it’s time to end it.