CHAPTER 0249

GIDEON'S POV

The cold floor pressed into my palms as I slowly lowered myself down among the other captives, blending into the tense, suffocating circle of frightened men and women. The air was thick with fear, whispers died before they even reached lips, and every slight movement drew the sharp, watchful eyes of the gunmen circling us like wolves keeping their herd in line.

But none of that truly