WALKING TO A WAR ZONE.

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Chapter 59 – Waking to a War Zone.

Vincent woke up wrong.

His body felt heavy. His thoughts—sluggish.

And everything—everything—hurt.

A groan slipped past his lips.

"About time."

Vincent's eyes flickered open.

Zane was sitting beside him, arms crossed, eyes sharp with something Vincent couldn't quite place.

Relief.

Anger.

Something between the two.

Vincent swallowed. His throat was dry. "How long?"

"Three days."

Vincent's chest tightened.

Shit.

He tried to push himself up, but a sharp pain shot through his side, forcing him back down.

Zane didn't move to help.

Didn't stop him either.

He just sat there, watching.

Waiting.

Vincent's fingers twitched. "Lancaster?"

"Still breathing." Zane's jaw clenched. "For now."

Vincent exhaled slowly, forcing himself to think.

The mission. The fight. The bullet.

His mind felt like fog, but the pieces were there.

Just out of reach.

Zane's voice cut through the haze. "You almost died, you idiot."

Vincent met his gaze.

Zane's expression was tight. Controlled.

But his eyes?

They were burning.

Vincent sighed. "I'm still here."

Zane didn't flinch. "Barely."

Vincent held his gaze. "But I am."

Zane exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You don't get it, do you?" His voice was low. Frustrated. "You can't keep doing this. You can't just—" He gestured vaguely at the bandages wrapped around Vincent's torso. "You think we're just gonna sit here and watch you bleed out next time?"

Vincent didn't answer.

Didn't know how to answer.

Because Zane was right.

And that?

That made it worse.

Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.

Then—

Another voice.

"I see he's awake."

Vincent turned his head.

Cain was leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

Vincent's fingers tensed.

Because suddenly—

Everything came rushing back.

The betrayal. The deal. The knife Cain had shoved between their ribs.

Vincent's pulse spiked.

Zane noticed.

Cain did too.

Cain sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I get it. You're pissed."

Vincent's voice was cold. "You sold us out."

Cain tilted his head. "And yet—I'm still here."

Vincent's eyes narrowed.

Cain met his gaze evenly. "I made my choice. Now I'm making another."

Vincent clenched his jaw. "And I'm supposed to trust that?"

Cain exhaled sharply. "No."

Silence.

Then—

Zane's voice was quiet. "But we don't have a choice."

Vincent's stomach twisted.

Because that?

That was the worst part.

They didn't have a choice.

Not anymore.

Cain pushed off the wall, stepping closer. "Lancaster's still coming. And you?" His gaze flickered to Vincent's bandages. "You're not ready for round two."

Vincent clenched his fists.

Hated that Cain was right.

Zane sighed. "So what's the plan?"

Cain smirked. "We take the bastard down first."

Vincent exhaled slowly.

This wasn't over.

Not even close.

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