The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 416

Even after Ned set Petty down, he tied her hands behind her back with a rope, making sure she couldn't pull the cloth from her mouth to scream. Petty was pushed ahead, stumbling as they moved deeper into the woods.

Abbot walked on in front, casting Laura a sideways glance. “If you want to rough her up or torture her, save it for the helicopter,” he said.

Laura’s voice floated past, airy and careless. “But what if I want to kill her?”

The words hit Petty hard, echoing in her ears. She watched Laura move with surprising confidence through the tangled brush. Even if Eaton hadn’t liked her much, Laura used to be so average. She could barely run, definitely not climb a mountain. Maybe those three years abroad had turned her into someone different. Someone dangerous. And now Laura was teaming up with Abbot. The way they talked, so familiar, made it clear they’d known each other a long time.

Abbot glanced over his shoulder. Petty's hair had caught on a branch, tangling into a messy halo. Strands clung to her cheek, now dry and fluttering in the night breeze.

Their eyes locked. Petty glared back with pure contempt, no hint of fear. She looked exactly like those undercover agents who’d died in Abbot’s hands—all iron will and fire.

He let out a laugh, low and mocking. “She’s my gift to Franco. No way I’m letting you kill her.”

A sly look flickered in Laura’s eyes.

Of course, she knew Abbot and Franco hated each other. Franco had cut Abbot’s profits more than once and almost got him killed over the new year. That kind of grudge wasn’t something Abbot would let go.

But Laura would never let anyone hurt her Franco.

Her plan was simple: she’d kill Petty before Abbot even had the chance to use her as leverage. That way Abbot would have nothing to threaten Franco with, and Laura could play the part of a victim, rescued just in time.

Plus, she had exactly what Abbot wanted—the fortune, the formula for pure contraband. That was her insurance. Abbot would never dare kill her.

Laura let out a quiet laugh, watching Abbot’s profile. “Fine. But we agreed—the second we’re on the helicopter, she’s mine. I’m going to make her regret ever being born, but I’ll leave her alive for you.”

Abbot just shrugged and told his men, “Keep your eyes open.”

“How much longer till the helicopter gets here?” Laura asked, her voice edged with impatience.

“One more minute,” one of Abbot’s men replied.

Ned shoved Petty forward. She tried to listen for anything useful in Abbot and Laura’s conversation, too distracted to watch her step. Her shoe caught on a stone, her ankle twisted, and suddenly she pitched forward and smashed right into Laura.

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