Chapter 1
My husband-Ryan Cole, a so-called top bomb disposal expert, cut the wrong wire when our daughter was kidnapped.
Even more absurd, he called in his childhood sweetheart-someone with zero field experience
-to “help.”
Hailey Grant’s scissors slipped deliberately, shortening the bomb’s countdown.
I was trembling, my face pale with panic, as I fell to my knees, begging my husband to save our daughter before it was too late.
But Ryan calmly packed up his tools and stood.
“Natalie Summers, stop making trouble,” he said flatly.
“Hailey’s specialty is extending detonation timers. If she saves Sophie right before the bomb goes off, she’ll win the Rookie of the Year award.”
My chest tightened until I could barely breathe. I ran from person to person, desperate to find another bomb expert, but no one dared compete with Ryan for the assignment.
Minutes bled away, the timer ticking down. Out of options, I accused Hailey of working
without a license-only for Ryan to tie me to the bomb instead.
“File your complaint, or I’ll just press the detonator myself. Your choice,” he said coolly.
“Twenty-five hours from now, I’ll bring Sophie home. Everyone’s happy, isn’t that better?”
Christ! There’s really only 24 hours left before it explodes!
23:56:03
23:56:02
My lips trembled. Every second that passed felt like a knife slicing through my flesh.
Chapter 1
0.85%%
On the monitor, Sophie huddled in a corner, wide-eyed and vacant with fear.
Ryan refused to even glance at the countdown. Instead, there was pride in his eyes.
“Hailey, this is a rare chance for you to practice. One day, you’ll be an exceptional bomb
disposal expert.”
A sharp buzz filled my head.
He had cut the wrong wire on purpose.
Ryan had never lost a case in his entire career-until now, in the middle of a two-day hostage
crisis involving his own daughter.
“Ryan, do you even understand what being an hour late could mean?” I demanded.
The smile faded from his face, replaced by irritation.
“Natalie, I made a mistake. If Hailey hadn’t stepped in, Sophie would already be in pieces.”
“And you still doubt her skills instead of showing gratitude?”
“Stay put. Once Hailey wins her award, I’ll take you and our daughter on an overseas vacation.”
I let out a laugh that was half-sobbing.
She didn’t even have a license, yet she was allowed to be his apprentice just because she once said, ‘Bomb disposal looks so cool. I want to win an award.’ And he gave her Sophie’s life
to practice on.
What kind of father does that?
Blood roared in my ears as I shouted until my voice broke.
“If
you
don’t save her now, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!”
He shook the detonator in his hand, eyes glinting with threat.
“My patience has limits, Natalie.”
“She’s got enough food and water for another day. What exactly should I regret?”
Chapter 1
0.85%
“She’s been spoiled rotten by you. A pampered little princess doesn’t deserve to be a Cole.”
Every word pierced my chest like an ice pick.
Five years ago, when I was eight months pregnant, I’d been kidnapped. Ryan had charged in
the moment he got the call.
The bomb back then had been heavily modified-he’d sweated bullets for two hours without
making progress.
I’d begged him to leave me behind, but he’d only gripped my hand tighter, eyes bloodshot.
He said, “Natalie, I’m not leaving. If I can’t defuse it, I’ll die with you and our daughter. I’m not
afraid.”
Now… I could no longer recognize this man.
As grief twisted my face, Hailey peeked from behind him, smirking in open. provocation.
She had done this on purpose.
Before I knew it, my hands were around her throat.
Ryan panicked, fumbling for the detonator and pressed it.
In that split second, only one thought blazed in my mind.
Sophie and I would never need this man again.
Chapter 1
0.85%
