CHAPTER 74: THE FLAVOR OF RETALIATION
"Tell me, Elena—does it burn?"
Elias's laughter filled the air as he taunted me like a predator knowing its victim had nowhere else to
flee.
The second bomb. I hadn't seen that one. The one that is still running.
I spit out, "I should've killed you when I had the chance," and tightened my hold on the revolver.
Elias grinned and moved in closer, his hands up as if this were all a game. It might have been to him.
But you didn't, I see. Look where we are now. His dark eyes shone as he cocked his head. "It’s almost
poetic, isn’t it?"
Poetry? No. Angry? Of course.
I made myself think. Somewhere close, concealed, the bomb was poised to detonate in a matter of
seconds. Elias was also far too composed.
It has one meaning.
He had an escape route.
I simply needed to locate it—before he put it to use.
There is a ticking clock.
I was the first to move.
Quick.
I fired, but Elias was already hiding behind a metal container when I heard the gunshot. His return
shot eluded me by millimeters, sending sparks flying.
"Elena talk to me!" With haste, the voice in my earpiece crackled.
"The second bomb. No time.
"How much time?"
I had no idea. The beeping, however, had accelerated.
Seconds. All I had was that.
With my breath quick and my pulse louder than the warning siren blasting overhead, I sprang forward
and swerved through the crates. Elias was gone. However, I was aware of his tendencies.
He wasn't sprinting.
He waited.
That I should make a mistake.
Not now.
To my right, I saw a glimmer of movement—just a shadow, but enough. I swung around and kicked
over a pile of metal pipes, causing a loud crash.
Elias, predictably, darted out.
I had already aimed my rifle.
"Don’t move."
His grin remained unwavering. "You won’t shoot me."
My finger gripped the trigger more tightly. "Try me."
He moved in closer. "Elena you need me. Even the location of the explosive is unknown to you.
He's a jerk.
He was correct.
He did not, however, hold absolute power.
The Bet
"Tell me where it is."
Elias laughed. "Now why would I do that?"
I changed my position. "Because you know if I go down, I’m taking you with me."
A flicker. A hesitancy.
I wasn't bluffing, and he knew it.
He shook his head and whispered, "You truly are something else." "All right. The main platform has
the bomb underneath it.
I didn't hold out.
I took off running.
The Last Few Seconds
The platform, a high metal walkway supported by strong steel beams, loomed ahead. And the gadget
was there—beneath.
A little black box. It has vein-like wires extending from it.
The timer displayed 00:17.
Before my head could catch up, I fell to my knees, my hands working and my heart pounding.
"I need to figure out how to turn this off. "Now." I let out a loud cry into the earphone.
"Cut the red wire!"
The words "There are two red wires!" were not heard.
Next—"Left one. Slice off the left one.
00:10 As I steadied my breathing, I took out my knife. If this was incorrect...
00:08
There's no time to doubt.
The wire was cut by me.
00:05
The beeping ceased.
Quiet.
Then— A long sigh.
"It’s done."
A harsh breath came from the voice on the other end. "We're entering. Hold on tight.
However, I wasn't finished yet.
While Elias was still present.
And I wasn't going anywhere without getting this done.
The Flavor of Retaliation
He was there when I turned.
He watched me from a few feet away as if he were trying to figure out a problem.
The words "You did it," he whispered. "Didn’t think you had it in you."
My gun went up.
"We’re done, Elias."
He chuckled. "You still don’t get it, do you?"
He took his jacket out.
I let go.
He staggered back as the bullet struck his shoulder.
His smile, however, did not go away.
Because he had a detonator in his hand.
And he was already applying pressure with his thumb.
I was knocked back by the blast as the explosion roared into the air. My vision was blurry and my ears
were ringing.
One thing became evident as I stumbled to my feet: Elias was no longer there.
Disappeared into the haze.
But I could still hear his voice.
"Elena this isn't over. Not even close.