Marked By Pain (The Marked #2)(25)

“Well, almost being killed by your little psycho soldier doesn't exactly help your cause.” I cross my arms and try to sit up straighter, not wanting to relax around him.

“Verity has overstepped and will be handled,” he says plainly.

“Handled?” I echo questioningly.

“She has her talents, of course, but she is proving too much of a risk. There's really no other choice,” he replies, as if it's obvious.

“You don't mean...?” I ask, trailing off, too horrified to finish the sentence.

“Well, we will have to make it appear an accident. Daniels wouldn't be pleased about little sister being removed. I have a plan that will take him away from the compound tonight in order to ensure it runs smoothly,” he explains.

“Why are you telling me this?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“Because you have no love for that girl, I'm sure. And I need to assure you that your safety is paramount to all of us here.” I can't keep in the laugh at that comment. “Something funny, Mackenzie?”

“Yeah, that you think I'm stupid enough to believe any of this,” I reply, rolling my eyes.

“Well, when Verity is gone tomorrow, then you will believe,” he says firmly, crossing the room back to the door.

“Going so soon?” I call sarcastically.

“I will check in on you later, Mackenzie,” he calls back as he leaves.





Chapter 15





Mackenzie





Staring up at the ceiling of my room here, I feel sick to my stomach. They moved me back into my room a few hours ago to rest, and as much as I try to forget my father's words and threat to Verity, I can't. I try to tell myself that she’s evil and twisted, and that she deserves whatever she gets, but then I picture Mr Daniels’ face when he finds out his sister is dead, and I can't do it. I can’t just let it happen.

I force myself up off the bed, and dress into some plain clothes. I'm still weak from before, and even getting dressed tires me out. I push through the exhaustion and head to find Mr Daniels, hoping that I can get to him before he leaves. I realise that I have no idea where to find him. I have no idea where to find any of the guys, but I know where one person is at least. Luckily, I manage to navigate the corridors without much of an issue. I go to the only person whose room I know the location of, and knock on the door. After a nerve-wrecking moment where I worry he's not here, the door opens.

“Kennie,” he says, his face shows how shocked he is to see me.

“Hey, Ry. Do you know where Mr Daniels is?” I ask.

“He just left on some weird job for our dad, why?” he questions, seeing the concern on my face. Crap, I left it too long, and now he's not going to forgive me if he finds out I knew. “Kennie, tell me what's wrong.”

“He's going to kill Verity,” I blurt.

“He's going to kill his sister?” he questions, confused.

“No, not Mr. Daniels, Alaric. He's going to kill her,” I reply. Ryan grabs my arm and pulls me inside, slamming the door shut.

“Are you sure?” he asks frantically.

“Yes, he told me himself. He thought I would be happy about it!” I try to keep my breathing even. He seems to suddenly relax more, letting out a deep breath.

“She did hurt you, she almost killed you, maybe it's for the best?”

“Two wrongs don't make a right here, Ry. We can't just let this happen,” I say.

“You're scared Daniels will blame you,” he guesses.

“A little, but it's not right either way,” I reply. “Please, help me.”

“I'm not sure what we can do, break her out and escape? This place is a fortress.”

“You must know something? Please, Ry. If there's some secret back exit somewhere here, or a spot on the guarded perimeter that isn't constantly monitored, then I really need to know where I can find it,” I plead.

“No, there's no back exit, and no gap in security,” he says, shaking his head. I groan in frustration, leaning my head against the wall. “Wait. There's always the tunnels,” he breathes.

“Tunnels?”

“They run right under the compound for about a mile in a few different directions. They're meant to all be blocked, but I know that the south tunnel has a way through,” he says.

“We need to get East too,” I say quickly and he sighs.

“I knew you'd say that.”

“Is that a no to helping me?”

“It's a begrudging yes. I have an idea, but you'll have to trust me, Kennie. I'm doing this to save her life and to free East. This doesn't change how I feel about the resistance, it doesn't change what side I’m on. But I don't want to see anyone hurt, especially not East. Verity, I'm not happy with right now, hell, I'm furious she hurt you, but she has been there for me this past year, so I can't let her die either. And I get why you can’t, you’re too good a person for that.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, pulling my brother into a tight hug.

“Yeah, yeah, let's see if you'll be thanking me when you hear the plan,” he says dryly, as he pats my back.



“This better work,” I mutter, smelling the vodka I’ve spilt on my top. I keep going over and over the plan in my head, making sure we aren't missing anything. I walk towards the doors leading outside the compound that Ryan said is the least guarded. Ryan promises all the guards carry stun guns, not real ones, and all I have to do is get hold of one. I try to remember Mr Daniels, and how he would feel if Verity died tonight. I can't let that happen. I push the door open, seeing three of the six guards walking around stopping in their tracks to look at me.