Novel-novel oleh Lustra

Chapter 76Rhett’s POVFive Years Later...If someone had told me five years ago that I’d be sitting cross-legged on the bed, a picture book balanced awkwardly in my hands, clearing my throat to do different voices while two small humans stared at me like tiny, merciless judges, I would’ve murdered someone in broad daylight.Yet here I was.“Daddy,” Brianna said sweetly, batting her lashes in a way that was criminal for a five-year-old, “you skipped the dragon part.”“I did not skip the dragon part,” I muttered, flipping the page back with a sigh. “The dragon is right here. See? Big. Scaly. Breathes fire and terrifying.”Aaron, a three years old was sprawled dramatically on his stomach, chin in his palms, frowned. “He’s not scary.”“He’s supposed to be scary,” I argued, rubbing my eyes. “Come on kids, it’s past your bedtime.”“It’s not,” Aaron said confidently. “You promised us one more story.”“I said one more chapter,” I corrected.These little demons. Argh.Brianna leaned closer, h

Chapter 75Rhett’s POVDave didn’t sit the moment the door slammed shut, Astrid and Rico giving us some privacy after so much hesitation.He stood at the foot of the hospital bed like a man deciding whether to pull the plug or pull the trigger, hands in his pockets, shoulders stiff. His eyes were tired in a way that had nothing to do with age and everything to do with loss. The room still smelled faintly of antiseptic and something that reminded me too much of the deck and the fire and the sound of Astrid's voice.I swallowed, my throat dry.“Dave,” I started, my voice rougher than I meant it to be. “I owe you an apology. For everything.”He lifted a brow, unimpressed.“For Micah,” I continued, the name scraping my insides. “For Astrid. For your family. For dragging all of you into a world that destroys anything it touches. I—” I exhaled, pressing my palm into the mattress. “I’m sorry.”Silence stretched between us. Not the awkward kind. It was the kind that weighs.Dave studied me f

Chapter 74Astrid’s POVA steady, rhythmic beeping, distant and close all at once, like it was echoing from the inside of my skull. I floated in and out of it, my thoughts thick and slow, my body heavy as if I were trapped beneath water.I tried to move. Something tugged at my arm.“Astrid,” a voice said urgently. “She’s waking up.”My lashes fluttered open, light slicing through my vision, too bright, too white. My head throbbed as the world slowly stitched itself together. The sterile smell of antiseptic that burned my nose.A hospital.Panic surged through me fast.I sucked in a breath and my chest tightened, my hand flying instinctively to my stomach. A sob clawed its way out of me before I could stop it.“My baby,” I croaked. My throat felt raw, scraped hollow. “My baby—”Hands were suddenly on me, warm and familiar, holding me down gently when I tried to sit up. “Easy, sweetheart,” my mother’s voice trembled. “Please, don’t move.”Mom.Her face hovered above mine, pale, eyes red

Chapter 73Rhett’s POVThe road blurred beneath my tires as I drove like hell was chasing me, because in a way, it was. My phone vibrated again on the seat beside me, Rico’s name lighting up the screen, then Mercedes’, one after the other, relentless. I ignored both, my eyes fixed on the stretch of asphalt cutting through the night.I couldn’t slow down.If I did, fear would catch up, and I didn’t have room for it.The deck loomed closer with every mile, that godforsaken place where blood had been spilled before, where deals were sealed with lies and bullets. My grip tightened on the wheel as the text replayed itself in my mind.If you want to see your precious love alive…My phone rang again. I finally answered without looking.“What?” I snapped.Rico’s voice burst through, laced with urgency. “Where the hell are you, Rhett?”“Finding her,” I said, my voice low, coiled tight. “I'm ending this. Someone took her.”“Slow down,” he warned. “You don’t even know if it’s real.”“It’s real,

Chapter 72Rhett’s POVThe phone rang once.I stared at it like it had personally wronged me, my jaw tight, chest already bracing for disappointment. It rang again insistent, slicing through the low hum of the room.I snatched it up.“Well?” I demanded before the voice on the other end could finish breathing.A pause. “No confirmed sightings, boss. Nothing solid.”My grip tightened until my knuckles burned. “So what the hell are you calling me for?”“Just thought you’d want to know we’re still searching—”I ended the call and flung the phone across the room. It hit the wall and clattered to the floor, the sound too loud in the silence that followed.Nothing. Still nothing!Rico sat across from me, a glass of whiskey in his hand, watching me like he’d been doing all day and he hadn’t said much.He finally spoke. “You’re going to drink yourself into a grave if you keep this up.”I laughed, humorless. “Good.”“That’s not funny.”“I’m not trying to be.”I dragged a hand down my face and

Chapter 72Rhett’s POVThe phone rang once.I stared at it like it had personally wronged me, my jaw tight, chest already bracing for disappointment. It rang again insistent, slicing through the low hum of the room.I snatched it up.“Well?” I demanded before the voice on the other end could finish breathing.A pause. “No confirmed sightings, boss. Nothing solid.”My grip tightened until my knuckles burned. “So what the hell are you calling me for?”“Just thought you’d want to know we’re still searching—”I ended the call and flung the phone across the room. It hit the wall and clattered to the floor, the sound too loud in the silence that followed.Nothing. Still nothing!Rico sat across from me, a glass of whiskey in his hand, watching me like he’d been doing all day and he hadn’t said much.He finally spoke. “You’re going to drink yourself into a grave if you keep this up.”I laughed, humorless. “Good.”“That’s not funny.”“I’m not trying to be.”I dragged a hand down my face and