Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
“Leave her alone,” my father says sharply, his voice stronger now. “She has nothing to do with this.”
Tank Top steps forward, his smirk infuriatingly smug. “Oh, she’s got everything to do with this, Doc. She’s leverage. Motivation. Insurance.”
He crouches down in front of my father, his grin widening. “You see, we’re not here to hurt anyone. But people need to know the truth. Science and food shouldn’t mix. You’re playing God, and it’s time the world sees the danger you’re putting them in.”
“This is absurd,” my father snaps. “What I’m doing will save millions of lives—starving people, children—”
“You’re poisoning them,” Tank Top interrupts, his voice rising. “And we’re going to make sure everyone knows it.”
He straightens, pacing in front of us like a self-proclaimed prophet. “We’re making a video,” he announces to the room. “You’re going to tell the world exactly what you’ve been doing. And we’re going to show them why it’s wrong.”
“No,” I whisper, shaking my head. “You can’t do this.”
“Oh, we can,” Tank Top says, his grin darkening as he looks at me.
Terror grips me, and I glance at my father. He’s watching me, his eyes filled with guilt and fear, and it breaks something inside me. I can’t let them hurt him—or use him to spread their lies.
The room fills with movement as the men prepare for their so-called broadcast, dragging out cameras and equipment. My mind races, searching for a way out, but the ropes are too tight, and my voice feels small and useless.
And then, like a thunderclap, the door bursts open.
The men scatter, shouting in panic as Ranger storms in, his presence commanding and unyielding. His weapon moves with precision, dropping two of them before they can even react.
“Ranger!” I scream, relief flooding through me like a tidal wave.
Tank Top grabs a gun from a nearby table, his hands trembling as he points it at Ranger. The room goes still, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
But Ranger doesn’t flinch. He doesn’t even blink. Instead, he laughs—a low, dangerous sound that sends chills down my spine.
“Go ahead,” he says, his voice steady and cold. “Pull the trigger. But know this—I’m not leaving without the woman I love.”
My heart stops. Did he just…
Tank Top hesitates, his grip on the gun faltering. He looks at Ranger, then at me, and I see the fear creeping into his eyes.
“You’re bluffing,” Tank Top says, but his voice lacks conviction.
Ranger takes a step forward, his weapon trained on the man. “Try me.”
The room is electric, the air crackling with unspoken tension. My heart pounds in my chest, but for the first time since this nightmare began, I feel hope.
Because Ranger is here.
And he’s not leaving without me.
Chapter 25
Ranger
My finger hovers on the trigger, my weapon trained on Tank Top as he shifts nervously, the barrel of his own gun trembling in my direction. Every fiber of my being is screaming at me to end this—to take the shot and get Tory out of here.
But then, the sound of boots and authoritative shouts fills the compound. The Bravo team bursts in, their movements swift and efficient as they secure the room. Guns are trained on the remaining Earth’s Bounty members, and I lower my weapon just enough to let them take over.
“Drop it!” one of the Bravo team yells, and Tank Top freezes. He hesitates for a moment too long, and one of the operatives knocks the gun from his hand, shoving him to the ground and cuffing him in one smooth motion.
The tension in the room evaporates in an instant, replaced by the controlled chaos of Bravo securing the scene.
I waste no time.
“Tory!” I shout, rushing across the room.
She looks up at me, her blue eyes wide and shimmering with unshed tears. Her father is tied up beside her, his face pale but determined. I grab my Kershaw knife from my pocket, cutting through the ropes binding her wrists and ankles first. She collapses into my arms the second she’s free, her body trembling against mine.
“I’ve got you,” I murmur, holding her tightly. My heart feels like it might burst as I press my lips to the top of her head. “You’re safe now.”
“I knew you’d come,” she whispers, her voice muffled against my chest.
I pull back just enough to look at her, cupping her face in my hands. “Always,” I say, my voice raw.
I turn to her father, quickly cutting him loose. He stands shakily, his expression a mix of relief and gratitude. “Are you okay, sir?” I ask, steadying him as he wobbles slightly.
“I am now,” he says, his voice hoarse. He looks at Tory, his gaze softening, and then his eyes flick to me, and for a moment, we just look at each other. Then he nods, his expression somber but genuine. “Thank you,” he says simply. “You saved us.”