Chapter 176

• Lucia's POV
• The chip blinked red in Elena’s palm like a tiny heartbeat, and every pulse felt like Claire counting down our seconds. Rain hammered the barn roof, but inside it was dead quiet except Ryan’s ragged breathing. He was burning up, eyes glassy, but he grabbed my wrist. “Hack it… reverse the signal… fry it.” His voice came out a croak. I knelt beside him, laptop balanced on a feed sack, our fingers brushing while he guided me through the code. Sparks jumped between us.. literally static, mostly something hotter. I leaned in, forehead against his sweaty one. “Don’t you quit on me,” I whispered. He managed a weak grin. “Tryin’ not to, babe.” The kiss was quick, salty, desperate. Then Elena’s voice cracked the air. “I helped him do it.” I froze. “Helped who do what?” She couldn’t look at me. “The experiments… on Mateo. Victor said it’d keep you girls safe if I cooperated.” The words slammed into me. My own mom. “You let him mess with my baby?” Tears choked me. Trust.. gone. Just gone.
• Sofia stood in the doorway, rain dripping off her hair, eyes huge. She’d heard everything. Before I could move she snatched the chip and bolted into the storm. “Sofia, no!” My scream tore my throat. She was gone, tiny shadow swallowed by the dark. Ryan tried to stand, legs buckling. “Go… I’ll catch up.” Yeah, right. I kissed him hard once more, then ran.