Caged Birds

RONIN

I stared at Monica for a long moment, letting the silence stretch between us until it felt like a third presence in the room, and then I asked, "What exactly do you want me to do for you, Monica?"

She lifted her head, those tear-swollen eyes finding mine. "I want you to save me. My sister. My friends. From Mad Maddox."

I studied her, the dim light of the penthouse catching the wet tra