CHAPTER 3 – "The Woman Who Came Back From the Dead"
The woman at the prison gate was supposed to be dead.
Ethan knew that face.
Isabella Voss.
Five years ago, she had been his partner.
Three years ago, she had become his wife.
Two years ago, Ethan had watched her car explode on a bridge during a classified mission.
At least...
that was what he had been told.
Now she stood outside Blackridge Prison wearing black combat gear, leading the same mercenary unit that had hunted him across three countries.
Marcus Kane backed away from Ethan, suddenly realizing he had been bullying the wrong man.
"Who are you?" Marcus whispered.
Ethan didn't answer.
His eyes were locked on Isabella.
Through the cracked cafeteria window, she lifted a radio to her lips.
Then every speaker inside the prison screamed with her voice.
"Ethan Cole."
"Walk out alone..."
"or everyone inside this prison dies with you."
The inmates panicked.
Even the guards looked helpless.
Marcus grabbed Ethan's arm.
"You brought this here! Fix it!"
Ethan slowly turned to him.
"You wanted to rule a prison."
"Congratulations."
"Now protect it."
For the first time in his life, Marcus had no comeback.
Outside, Isabella raised her hand.
The mercenaries aimed explosives at the main cell block.
Captain Ross ran toward Ethan.
"If you know how to stop this, now is the time."
Ethan looked at the terrified inmates, the guards, the locked doors, the flashing red lights.
Then he did something no one expected.
He handed Marcus the keys he had stolen from a guard during the chaos.
Marcus stared at him.
"You could've escaped this whole time?"
Ethan smiled faintly.
"I was never trying to escape."
Then Ethan walked alone toward the prison yard.
The rain fell hard as the gates opened.
Isabella smiled when she saw him.
"My husband finally comes home."
Ethan stopped ten feet away.
"You died."
She stepped closer.
"No, Ethan."
"I was sold."
His face changed.
"What are you talking about?"
Isabella's smile disappeared.
"The government you protected traded me to the enemy to keep your mission buried."
Ethan froze.
Then Isabella whispered the truth that shattered him.
"The man who ordered it..."
"was the same judge who sentenced you yesterday."
Before Ethan could move, a sniper laser appeared on his chest.
May you like
Isabella looked past him and smiled.
"And now he's here to make sure you never tell anyone."
