Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 114551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
I laugh, backing away from his cell and watching as he grips the bars tighter. “You’re a joke, Father,” I tell him. “Zade and the boys might not be here to save me anymore, but look at you. You’re a joke. Trying to play me and Empire as fools. But locked here in your little cell, waiting for your henchmen to come and free you, you’re a sitting duck, and the second that the news of Zade’s death begins to spread, it will be war. It would be a shame if the people of Empire learned of your existence. I wonder just how quickly someone will come and put a bullet between your eyes, wanting to claim leadership for themselves?”
My father clenches his jaw, seeing just how easily I can fight fire with fire, and when he doesn’t respond, I go on. “I can’t fault you, Father. Trying to claim Empire is a good plan, but it’s flawed, and unfortunately for you, you’ve gone and pissed me off, and there’s no telling what I might do with my newfound freedom. Hell, I might even take Empire as my own just to watch it burn.”
“Oakley,” he warns. “Don’t do anything stupid. I won’t hesitate to end you.”
“I’d like to see you try,” I say, a smirk kicking up the corner of my lips. “Like you said, I’ve evaded every single one of your henchmen’s attempts on my life, all while being locked up myself. Haven’t you figured it out yet? No matter how hard you try or how many times you wish to fool me, you can’t touch me. You’re a disappointment, Father. Nothing at all like the great man I always imagined you would be.”
And with that, I give him a fake smile before turning on my heel and making a break for it, more than ready to get out of here.
“OAKLEY,” he roars at my back, the loud clanging of the bars echoing up the hall, but I don’t dare turn back, the betrayal, heartache, and grief clawing at my chest, threatening to destroy me.
I force the tears away as I race up the rickety old stairs and back into the tunnel, passing through the open security gate and hoping like fuck nobody decides now is the time to check on the prisoners.
My aching feet slam against the cold, dirty ground, echoing right up the long tunnel. It must have been at least an hour since the explosion, and soon enough, Empire is going to regroup. Hell, there’s a good chance they already have and I’m about to bust out into a room full of assholes who want me dead.
Fuck, what was I thinking coming here?
After everything I’ve been through with Zade and the boys, I should have learned by now that I can’t trust anyone in this world. Yet I blindly trusted my father, blindly believed that he wanted what was best for me, wanted me safe, but he’s just as bad as the rest of them, if not worse.
Reaching the top of the tunnel, I slow my pace and peek out into the main bar. There are a few men in suits who look as though they might have been in the explosion. Their backs are to me, far across the bar, and from what I can tell, I don’t think they’ve noticed the body I left behind the bar.
My gaze shifts to the exit as the men talk among themselves, whispering as though trying to put some kind of fucked-up plan together, probably trying to figure out who’s dead and where that leaves them in Empire’s hierarchy.
It’s only a short dash to the exit tunnel, and I hold my breath. The consequences of being caught right now are not something I want to deal with. The last guy might not have known who I am, but something tells me these guys know exactly what’s been going down.
Knowing the longer I wait, the closer I am to being caught, I slip out into the bar, my hands shaking as I try not to allow my father’s betrayal to break me now. There will be time to process and crumble about that later, right now, I need to grab this shit by the balls and make it my bitch.
I creep across the bar, tiptoeing and hoping like fuck I don’t get caught. Sweat forms on my forehead, and every step I take has me feeling as though I could pass out. I keep my eyes locked on the men, and thankfully, they’re so deep in their conversation, they don’t seem to notice a damn thing.
Finally reaching the exit tunnel, I let out a shaky breath and collapse against the wall, needing just a moment to gather myself before taking off like a fucking bat out of hell. I’m so fucking close. All I need to do is get through this tunnel and out the gate and I’m home free.