The scent of iron was thick in the air.
Lilly’s eyes, cold and unyielding, swept across the men standing by. Their hesitation irritated her.
“What the hell are you all waiting for?” Her voice cracked through the tense silence, sharp as a whip.
The men snapped to attention.
“Get him out of there. Now.”
She didn’t need to say it twice.
Two men rushed forward, reaching into the trunk and dragging David Deluca’s battered body out. His weight was dead, limp, his blood smearing against their gloves.
“Take him to Damon.”
Her tone left no room for argument.
The men moved swiftly, disappearing into the building with their barely breathing cargo.
Lilly stood still, her breathing measured, her fingers clenched so tightly her nails bit into her palms.
She should feel satisfaction.
But for some reason—
She didn’t.
Inside, the air was suffocating.
The rhythmic beeping of the life support machine filled the room—until suddenly, the sound changed.
The sharp, rapid BEEP—BEEP—BEEP sliced through the ai
