Novels by Deborah Bassey

Isabel POVThe hospital lights cut out, plunging the entire room into complete darkness. The machines keeping Diego stable went silent, and the sudden void pressed heavy on my chest.“Marissa? Miguel?” My voice was tight, barely above a whisper.“I’m here,” Marissa’s voice echoed from near the door, tense but steady.“I’m fine,” Miguel called back, his voice closer, more protective. “Isabel? Diego?”I felt Diego’s hand, still warm but unmoving. My fingers pressed lightly against his wrist, searching for the pulse. It was there—weak but steady.“I’ve got him,” I whispered, relieved but on edge. “He’s still here.”“What the hell just happened?” Marissa hissed; her countenance and expression barely visible against the window’s faint glow.Miguel fumbled with something, the sound of rustling fabric before a dim beam of light cut through the darkness. He’d switched on a small tactical flashlight, the narrow beam sweeping the room.The soft, shallow rise of Diego’s chest was visible again.

Isabel POVThe hospital lights cut out, plunging the entire room into complete darkness. The machines keeping Diego stable went silent, and the sudden void pressed heavy on my chest.“Marissa? Miguel?” My voice was tight, barely above a whisper.“I’m here,” Marissa’s voice echoed from near the door, tense but steady.“I’m fine,” Miguel called back, his voice closer, more protective. “Isabel? Diego?”I felt Diego’s hand, still warm but unmoving. My fingers pressed lightly against his wrist, searching for the pulse. It was there—weak but steady.“I’ve got him,” I whispered, relieved but on edge. “He’s still here.”“What the hell just happened?” Marissa hissed; her countenance and expression barely visible against the window’s faint glow.Miguel fumbled with something, the sound of rustling fabric before a dim beam of light cut through the darkness. He’d switched on a small tactical flashlight, the narrow beam sweeping the room.The soft, shallow rise of Diego’s chest was visible again.

Isabel POVThe footsteps grew louder. My pulse raced as I exchanged a glance with Miguel. Marissa raised her rifle slightly, ready but controlled.The door creaked open.Three men entered, dressed in dark suits, their expressions cold and professional. No visible weapons—but their rigid postures told me they were trained for this kind of situation.Miguel shifted, moving slightly in front of Diego. “Who the hell are you?”The tallest man, with a scar just above his eyebrow, raised his hands. “We’re here for you, Miguel. Your father sent us.”Silence fell over the room.Miguel’s expression twisted, a mix of relief and anger. “And where is he?”The scarred man kept his voice even. “Unavailable. But we’re under strict orders to secure your safety and assist with your brother’s care.”Miguel exhaled, shaking his head. “Of course, he sent his thugs instead of showing up himself.”The man didn’t react. “We’re here to help. That’s what matters.”Marissa POVMy finger hovered over the trigger

Isabel POVThe buzz of the drone overhead made me freeze mid-step. Marissa cursed under her breath; her rifle still hidden beneath her coat. Miguel’s grip on Diego tightened, his expression grim as he glanced up at the sky.“They’ve got eyes on us,” Marissa said sharply, scanning the horizon.Miguel’s face was tense. “We need to keep moving.”“Wait,” I said, holding up my hand. “Diego can’t handle this. He’s not ready to be moved like this—he’s barely stable.”Miguel hesitated, his jaw tightening as he looked down at his brother. Diego’s face was pale, his breathing labored.“She’s right,” Marissa added, her voice softening. “If we keep running, we’ll kill him.”Miguel exhaled sharply. “Then what’s the alternative? We can’t stay out here.”I glanced back at the hospital. “We go back in.” I said sharply.Miguel POVMy instinct was to argue, but she wasn’t wrong. Diego couldn’t handle another step, and the drone above us meant we were out of options.“Back in?” Marissa asked, incredulou

Isabel POVThe nurse's whispered warning hit me like a slap. "You're being followed."Miguel stiffened beside me, his grip tightening on Diego's arm as we half-carried, half-dragged him into the small hospital lobby. "Who's following us?" Marissa demanded, her tone sharp and low."I don't know who they are, but they've been asking questions. They came through here earlier, showing pictures. They're still nearby.""We don't have time for this. My brother needs help."The nurse hesitated, her eyes flickering between Diego's pale face and the tension in Miguel's stance. Finally, she nodded. "Room four. Down the hall. I'll get a doctor."Marissa moved to the door; her rifle hidden beneath her coat. "I'll keep an eye out," she said, her voice calm but firm.I followed Miguel down the hallway, my heart racing. Miguel POVI lowered Diego onto the examination bed, his weight sinking into the thin mattress. His face was ashen, his breaths shallow."Hang in there," I murmured, gripping his sh

Isabel POVThe burst of static from the hidden comm device made my heart stop. The voice that followed was unmistakable.“Don’t move. You’re surrounded.”Miguel tensed, his eyes narrowing. Marissa gripped her rifle, scanning the forest for movement.“Gideon,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.“Congratulations,” the voice said, almost amused. “You’ve made it farther than I expected. But it ends here.”Marissa glanced at me; her expression sharp. “He’s bluffing. If we were surrounded, we’d already see them.”“he’s not the kind of man who bluffs,” Miguel said.The comm device crackled again. “Miguel, Isabel, Marissa... even Diego. your little escape. Impressive, but futile. Surrender now, and I might let you live.”Miguel’s jaw tightened. “Not a chance.”Marissa POVI hated the way Gideon’s voice got under my skin, as if he was already one step ahead. But I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of seeing us panic.“We need to move,” I said quietly, keeping my rifle raised. “Now.”