Elite Weddings, Winnings, Wars & Woes

"Who did this to us?" I croaked.

Irina shook her head, panic etched across her face. "I don't know! I was about to leave the auction when someone attacked me. Then I woke up here! Oh God, what's going to happen to me? Save me, Skylar!"

I sneered, "So now you remember who I am and the connections I have? What happened to that big, bitchy energy, Irina?"

She broke into tears. "That's not funny, Skylar! I know I haven't been nice to you, but please, help me!"

The warehouse door suddenly swung open. Corbin stormed in, fury radiating from him. The moment he saw us, he rushed forward. "Irin!"

He stopped short. He noticed the timer, then turned to me, stunned.

"Skylar? You too? No. There's no time to ask why," he muttered to himself as he began scanning the area for clues.

He spotted a black box. Inside was a defusing tool and a note.

"You can save only one. Or doom them both if you have a lust for heroism," he read, bewildered.

Irina sobbed. "No! I don't want to die!"

Corbin glanced between us and immediately made his choice. He grabbed the toolbox and headed straight for Irina.

A sharp ache pierced my chest. I had expected this, yet it still hurt to watch it unfold. I had never been more than a stepping stone, a means for him to gain the Sothisby family's power and wealth.

He began dismantling the bomb strapped to Irina. Sweat beaded on his forehead as the timer on my chest ticked down from 8:45.

By the time mine showed just over two minutes remaining, Corbin had removed Irina's bomb. He exhaled in relief. "Good."

He turned toward me, ready to work, when she caught his hand. "We don't have much time left, Corbin!"

He hesitated. I could not read his expression. He stared at my timer, then finally muttered, "Forgive me."

He lifted Irina into his arms and ran for the door without looking back. "We have to go. Now!"

I closed my eyes. Cold seeped into my bones.

Was that it? Was this my destiny?

A masked man burst into the warehouse. With practiced efficiency, he cut the ropes binding my hands and tore the timer from my chest. He swept me into his arms and ordered, "Hang tight!"

The timer hit zero.

He had just cleared the building when the explosion tore through the air. A wave of heat slammed into us and hurled us several meters away. My body convulsed as my consciousness struggled to hold on, and my vision blurred.

I thought I saw him remove his mask. The face looked familiar, even through the haze.

"You..." I began.

The word faded as darkness swallowed me.

…

When I opened my eyes again, I had to shut them at once. The light was blinding, sterile white. The air smelled sharply of disinfectant.

A steady beeping sounded nearby, the rhythm of an ECG machine.

It was a hospital. I was alive.

The door opened. Corbin entered, supporting a weakened Irina. Jared and Hector followed behind.

They froze when they saw me awake.

"How did you survive that?" Corbin blurted, then quickly composed himself. "I mean, I'm glad you're awake."

He helped Irina into a chair by the window and poured her a glass of water before approaching my bed.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

I was about to answer when Jared cut in, "I think you owe us an explanation, Miss Sothisby."

"W-What?" I stared at him, stunned.

Corbin raised a hand to silence him. "According to our investigation, the kidnappers were paid through your personal bank account. Follow the money, as they say."

I shot upright, shock and anger surging through me. "No way!"

I winced as the sudden movement tugged at the IV in the back of my hand, sending a sharp sting up my arm.