Chapter 327

Hannah's cage was wedged deep in the shadows against the far wall, nearly swallowed by darkness.

At first glance, Malcolm barely registered that Hannah was missing.

But Nina, the closest girl, suddenly jerked her head up. Her voice cracked with panic, rising several octaves. "Marion-he's not here!"

"Not here? Then why the hell are you screaming?"Malcolm flinched, clutching his chest. "Nearly gave me a damn heart attack."

He scowled and then realized something about Nina's outburst didn't sit right. His eyes narrowed as suspicion crept in. He edged closer, tone dangerously quiet. "You're acting really strange.What are you so jumpy for?"

His eyes swept over each woman, sharp and searching. Then, when his eyes fell on the cage buried in darkness, he stopped dead. The spot where Hannah was supposed to be-was glaringly empty.

Malcolm's face contorted with rage, his eyes burning with a savage blaze. "A woman was supposed to be over there. Where the fuck is she? Did she run?"

All the women cowered, recoiling in terror. This was it -they were finished.

Malcolm surged forward and clamped his hand around Nina's throat. "Who let her out? Answer me!"

Nina's mouth opened, but her words never came.Her eyes widened in shock.

A shadow appeared behind Malcolm. Hannah had returned.

A sharp, resounding blow struuck Malcolm's skull. He crumpled without a sound, crashing to the stone floor.

The underground cell was plunged into stunned,unbroken silence. A stunned silence lingered in the the women stared, chests tight, adrenaline roaring in their veins. In a dizzying surge, fear gave way to shock, then pure, breathless exhilaration as the reality of what had happened set in.

Hannah struggled to steady her breathing, her chest rising and falling, the club shaking slightly in her grip.

Sweat dampened her brow. That damn cabinet had slowed her down-the antique combination lock had nearly gotten the better of her.

Only after finally wrangling the keyring free had she whirled around and spotted Malcolm stalking toward the cages. On instinct, she'd seized the nearest rod,crept up behind him, and waited, muscles coiled, for the exact right moment. Her timing, mercifully, had been flawless-a single, decisive blow.

Delia was the first to come to her senses. Her voice rasped through the hush, barely above a whisper."Did you... Did you get the keys?"

Hannah let out a long, shaky breath and fished the keys from her pocket, holding them up so everyone could see. "Yeah. I've got them."

Relief swept through all the women like a breaking wave.

"Oh,thank God!"

"We're saved-this is real, we're actually saved!"

Tears finally spilled over, the dam inside breaking in helpless, ragged sobs.

"Shhh!" Hannah hissed, urgency sharpening her gesture as she raised a hand. "Stay quiet. I'm getting you out."

She darted to the nearest cage, scanning the numbered locks. Snatching the right key, she fit it into the slot and twisted.

A soft metallic click echoed, and the first cell door creaked open.

Meanwhile, deeper within the mine, shadows clung to the walls as Vincent hovered, his gaze icy and unblinking. Rayden's voice cut through the cavern, barking commands while the last jagged chunks of ore were heaved onto the carts.

The rumor racing through the ranks: this haul had the richest yield in weeks-ore so pure that it could make a man rich overnight.

Carville's orders had been absolute-everything needed to be moved out before dawn.

Vincent melted into the shadows at the far end of the track, positioning himself precisely where every transport cart would be forced to pass.

The grade sloped sharply here, making the area treacherous. An old, battered cart lingered off to the side, its warped frame draped with a dusty tarp and stamped with Doyle's private seal.

Underneath, Vincent already knew, lay a barrel of explosives he'd discovered the night before.

The first carts rattled down the track.

Moving with practiced ease, Vincent dropped into a eside a leaky water pipe, feigning interest in the steady drip. His body blocked the view as he reached out, fingers working quickly to dislodge a small piece of the passing cart's axle.

A moment later, the sabotaged cart wobbled and veered off course, wheels squealing as it barreled straight for the cart concealing the explosives.

"Watch it!" a worker yelled out, voice cracking through the din.

An earth-shaking blast followed-a wall of fire and smoke erupted as the gunpowder went off.

In an instant, the entire mine dissolved into chaos.

Vincent acted fast, swiping the scorched strip of cloth from the debris before anyone else could notice. He strode toward Rayden, wearing a mask of bewilderment. "What's this supposed to be?"

Rayden's face flushed red with rage when he recognized Doyle's insignia. Without another word,he spun on his heel and stormed off to fetch Carville. Within moments, both men had returned, each flanked by their own crew, the tension so thick that it hummed in the air.

They immediately spotted Doyle and his men lounging in the shadows, wide grins plastered across their faces as they watched the ruined carts smolder.

Carville's hand shot up, gun leveled straight at Doyle."You really think I'm just going to let you walk away after torching my entire shipment?"

Doyle let out a cold, humorless laugh. He'd already heard whispers-Carville planned to push him aside and cut a backroom deal. Seeing that mountain of goods lined up earlier tonight? That had been proof enough. Now the whole lot was reduced to ashes.Seeing Carville's empire collapse in flames was pure,merciless delight.

"Seriously, Carville? Let's see you try anything. Boys -get them!" Doyle ordered.

Mayhem erupted at once. The mine transformed into a battlefield of shouting, fists, and flying debris. I the thick of it, vincent melted into the shadowa,dlutching a pouch of stolen cosmetics as he hurried to find Hanman.

Back in the underground cell, Hannah's heart leapt at the muffled boom echoing through the stone.Instinctively, she slammed her palm against the emergency button on her wristband.

With the women frantically assisting, they sprang into action, fumbling with keys and rushing to unlock the remaining cells.

When Hannah reached Delia's door, Delia's sudden shriek cut through the noise. "Look out!"