Chapter 25: Border of Betrayal

The warehouse still smoldered behind them as Rogue, Aria, and Emma sped toward the border rendezvous in a stolen armored truck. The vehicle was cramped, forcing the three of them into tight quarters in the front cab. Emma huddled between them, shivering despite the blanket wrapped around her small frame. Aria kept one arm around her sister, the other gripping a rifle, her body pressed against Rogue’s side. Every bump in the road reminded them how fragile their victory had been. Rogue’s jaw was set like stone, knuckles white on the steering wheel. Blood from multiple wounds soaked through his cut. “The true buyer wants you at the old border crossing warehouse by sunset. Alone. Or they start sending pieces of Emma.” Aria’s stomach twisted. Her father’s final words before Rogue ended him st