“Shoot her and I'll shoot you.”
Damien had his gun out, aimed at the soldier holding Mila. His hand was steady. His voice was cold.
Celeste’s mother laughed. “You won’t shoot. Too many of my men. You’ll be dead before you hit the ground.”
“Maybe. But so will you.”
The standoff was held. No one moved. Only the sound of breathing filled the lab.
Then Rylan spoke. “Let the girl go.”
Everyone turned toward him. He’d been silent until now — beaten, bruised, but standing tall.
“This ends now,” he said. “I’m done with your games. Done with your lies. Done with all of it.”
“Sit down, Rylan. You’re embarrassing yourself.”
“No. You embarrassed yourself. You killed hundreds of innocent people today — for what? Power? Control? It’s sick.”
“It’s necessary. You’re too weak to understand that.”
