The Villains Must Win-Chapter 334: Apocalyptic Romance 44

When the armored van rumbled back through the camp gates, Sasha expected at least a reluctant cheer or a pat on the back.

After all, she, Dylan, and the others had returned alive from a raid that should’ve been a suicide mission. Instead, they were greeted by soldiers with raised guns and cold eyes.

Ben stood at the center of the courtyard, arms folded, his bulk framed by the dying light. "Welcome back," he said dryly. "You’ve saved us the trouble of hunting you down."

Cloud’s brow furrowed. "What’s this supposed to mean?"

Ben’s voice was like gravel. "It means you’re all under arrest—for breaking camp protocol."

Before anyone could react, soldiers swarmed them. Rifles pressed against their backs as they were stripped of their weapons, packs, even their personal trinkets.

Sasha’s protests went unheard, her arm twisted behind her as cuffs clicked shut. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"You can’t be serious!" Alvaro barked. "We went out there because you couldn’t get your own people to survive a raid."

Ben didn’t even glance his way. "You disobeyed orders. You used fuel without authorization. You risked an armored vehicle that we can’t replace." His gaze swept the group, cold. "Cars, gasoline, ammunition—those are more precious than any of you."

Dylan stepped forward, face hard. "They only went because of me. I was trapped during the last raid, and they came to retrieve both me and the medical supplies. Punish me, not them."

Ben let out a weary sigh that carried no hint of regret. "You’re the camp’s doctor, Doc. I won’t kill the only person keeping us alive. But as for the rest of them..." His eyes shifted to Cloud and Alvaro. "You two have been doing whatever you please since you arrived. No discipline. No respect for the chain of command. You’ve turned raids into your personal missions."

Cloud clenched his fists. "You’re lucky I still see you as human, Ben."

Ben ignored him. "And as for the girl..." His gaze fell on Sasha. "You’ve been a distraction. I should’ve known trouble would follow you the moment you showed up."

Sasha’s smile was sharp and dangerous. "Trouble follows me because I’m beautiful."

That earned her a backhand from one of the guards. Alvaro and Cloud lunged forward instantly, but rifle barrels met their chests.

"Enough," Ben snapped. "Put them in holding."

They were dragged through the yard and thrown into the same cramped cell—dark, damp, and reeking of rust and mold.

The heavy iron door slammed shut, leaving them with nothing but the flickering light from a distant bulb.

Hours passed before anyone spoke.

"I bet that bastard just wanted full control," Alvaro muttered finally, leaning against the wall. "Can’t stand the idea that we’re getting attention, or that people actually trust us more than him."

Sasha gave a hollow laugh, rubbing the bruise on her cheek. "He’s no different from that fat governor we left behind. Same hunger for power, just a different setting."

Cloud was inspecting Sasha’s bruise, eyes promised revenged, his expression like stone. "He won’t stop here," he said finally. "Ben’s type never does. If we don’t do something soon, he’ll starve us to death to make a point."

Jones groaned from his spot near the bars. "I don’t wanna die of hunger. Or thirst. Or boredom."

Reyes snorted, kicking the wall. "You’ll die of talking too much first."

Jones ignored her. "No, seriously! They took everything. Our food, water, even the meds. You know what that means? They’re not planning to let us out. If they were, they’d at least leave a ration."

Dylan had been quiet, pacing slowly in the small space. Now he turned, eyes sharp. "He’s right. This isn’t punishment—it’s containment. Ben’s consolidating power. With us gone, he controls the medical stocks, the vehicles, the supply routes. Everything."

Alvaro gave a low chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "So that’s it, huh? He’s gonna sit on his fat ass while we rot down here. Classic."

Cloud’s eyes flicked toward Dylan. "You’ve worked with him longer. You really think he’ll kill us?"

Dylan hesitated. "...I didn’t, before. But now?" His jaw tightened. "I’ve seen the look in his eyes lately. He’s slipping. The stress, the paranoia—it’s only a matter of time before he starts eliminating anyone who looks like a threat."

Sasha tapped her fingers against the concrete floor, thinking. "Then we better stop waiting for him to change his mind."

Cloud looked at her. "You have an idea?"

"I always have an idea," she said with a smirk. "Whether it’s a good one, well... that’s another story."

Reyes sat up. "You’re not seriously thinking of escaping, are you?"

"Why not?" Sasha replied. "It’s either we sit here until our ribs show, or we break out and make him regret crossing us."

Jones whistled low. "I like the way she thinks."

Dylan frowned, pushing his glasses up his nose. "We don’t even have tools. No weapons. Not even a damn screwdriver."

Sasha smiled mischievously. "Who needs tools when you have me?"

The others stared, not quite sure if she was joking.

She tapped the small ring on her finger—the one she’d managed to hide by palming it during the arrest. It shimmered faintly under the dim light.

Cloud’s eyes widened slightly. "You kept it."

"Of course I did," she said. "You think I’d hand over my lucky charm that easily?"

A spark of hope flickered through Alvaro and Cloud as Sasha crouched beside the locked door, whispering, "Now... let’s see what we can pull out of the rabbit hole today."

Dylan leaned closer, brows knitting in cautious curiosity. "What’s a ring going to do?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Sasha shot him a knowing grin, her lips curving with that dangerous confidence he was starting to recognize all too well. "Just watch and observe," she said, winking.

Alvaro smirked from where he sat on the floor, his tone teasing but low. "Best not to make any noise, okay? She likes her audience quiet during her magic tricks."

Cloud’s voice followed, steady and serious. "Best to contain your shock to a minimum. You’ll understand why in a second."

Dylan, Jones, and Reyes exchanged puzzled glances.

"What the hell are you guys talking about?" Reyes muttered, edging closer.