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CHAPTER 182

Author: CagalieYula
last update Last Updated: 2025-06-14 17:33:08

The safehouse in Malta smelled like salt and antiseptic. Jeff’s wound had reopened during extraction, staining the bandages a dark, ugly red. He lay on the narrow bed, jaw clenched against the pain as I pressed fresh gauze to his side.

"Stop fussing," he muttered, but his hand found mine, fingers threading through my bloodstained ones.

"You idiot," I whispered. "You should have stayed in Tunis."

His thumb brushed my knuckles. "And miss all the fun?"

I didn’t laugh. Couldn’t. Not when the drive in my pocket felt like a live grenade. Not when every time I closed my eyes, I saw my father’s skull shatter.

Jeff’s grip tightened. "Demi."

I shook my head, focusing on rewrapping his bandages. If I spoke now, I’d shatter.

He didn’t let me pull away. With a pained grunt, he sat up, ignoring my protest, and cupped my face. His palm was warm, rough with calluses.

"Look at me."

I did.

His blue eyes were steady, the way they always were in the middle of a storm. "We’ll burn it all down. Every last
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