My voice echoes through the room. “If I don’t get an honest answer of what this fucker is using and who is involved in the next ten seconds, every one of you will find yourselves jobless and in a world of pain!” Silence. “Ten.” Shifting feet. “Nine.” Whispers. “Eight.”
“It’s cocaine, boss.” One of the braver new recruits pipes up. “He’s been trying to deal it to the others too. As far as I know, no one has taken him up on the offer.” Apparently my strict no-drug policy has had the desired effect.
Turning back to the little shit I have pinned, I hiss, “Is that so?”
“He’s lying! I’m just sick. Have been for a few days.” The denials I have heard a thousand times play out and send me back. Black washes my vision.
Mom’s latest dealer boyfriend backhands her and she goes sprawling. I swing my bat at him, but he’s so much bigger, so much stronger than my ten-year-old body, he just catches it.
Turning that glare on me, his eyes are so dark and deranged, I know I’m looking into the pits of hell. His laughter sends fear down my spine, but I don't back down. He pulls the bat from my grasp and tosses it down. I feel the first hit. Blood spews from my nose as I’m knocked back. Then he’s on me, blow after blow landing on my body, my face. I try to cover myself with my arms.
I feel the discarded bat touch my shoulder and grab it with a last burst of energy, my swing nailing him in the side of the head. He falls off of me and I gain the upper hand, but I don't stop swinging. Hands tear at my shirt. Her voice is in my ear. “Stop! Stop, you’re going to kill him!”
Suddenly that voice is much deeper and the hands on me are gripping my arms and yanking me back not only from my target, but back to the present.
“Fuck, boss, stop!”
I look down at Davis on the ground. His nose is bleeding and he’s glaring daggers at me but at least he’s conscious. I really did a number on him. But I still feel the violence running through my system. I need to get out of here. “I want him gone by the time I get back.” There’s a flurry of movement but I don’t stick around.
I need to go for a run.I need to see her.What the fuck? It’s only been a few hours. My thoughts, jumbled and confusing, are too much to takeright now. And yet, starting on my usual route around Lunar Security headquarters, I find the image of Fallon’s face bringing me back to center.
Each step eases the tension in my muscles until calm takes over. I can’t shake the confusing urge to go to her. Fallon has consumed my thoughts. It's a distraction, especially with the guilt of having kidnapped her weighing on me. But it's comfortable having her close, even under these circumstances
And yet the urge is still there. Maybe it’s the many men in her life that are fucking dangerous. We know what her father and Clay are capable of, and eventually she’s going to end up on the wrong side of one of their deals.Oh, you mean like kidnapped in a revenge plot?
Maybe she belongs with us. She’s working with us and fighting alongside Cerberus. Something about that thought just feels right. My mind races back through my life and every failed attempt to protect those I love. Mom. Luna. Myself. Is this redemption where I finally do it right, or is this going to be another mistake where I fail her, too?
What started as a challenge has shifted. I can’t pinpoint when that shift started, but the urge I felt on the roof to push until she breaks is not what I feel now. I still have this pull toward her fire and ability to match my intensity, but I’m also desperate to keep that fire between us burning.
After an hour, I’m no closer to an answer of where this is going with Fallon Helix, but my body is tired enough that I feel in control. Walking back through the front door, I note my brothers waiting in the lobby; clearly having been informed of what happened with the recruit.
“Save it.” I don't stop walking.
Teo’s hands go up in mock surrender. “Just here for whatever you need.”
Irritated, I keep moving, and they both fall into step behind me. The men are on edge when I get to the training center, but I ignore them. I spot the folders that somehow found their way to a table in the corner, and methodically hand out assignments to the teams who are still in the training center finishing up their workouts or team debriefs. I note key factors they need to be ready for.
Work done for the day, we head home.To her.
Chapter 17
Fallon
Saturday rolls around and I’m lounging in my bed, watching the news in my room. I have now officially been missing for over a month according to the news anchor reporting on my disappearance. Clay appears on the screen, so I turn up the volume to catch what he’s saying.
“We are very concerned for Fallon Helix’s safety and it is our utmost priority to bring her home. We know she was looking into private security prior to her abduction. If anyone has any information on her whereabouts or information involving her seeking increased security, please call the tip line set up by law enforcement. Fallon is greatly missed and we...” He pauses as if he’s choking up with emotion. I roll my eyes. “There is a reward for information leading to her safe return. Fallon, if you hear this, we won’t give up looking for you.”
Irritation runs through me as I pick apart his statement. They know I wasn’t looking into increasing security for myself. The crying would seem genuine if I didn't know Clay. That is all for the cameras.
Slightly raised voices in the hall have me turning down the volume and I make my way to the door on silent feet.
“I am not missing this to babysit.” Declan's low tones reach me, causing a zing of desire to rush through me. After being cooped up with themfor this long, I am finally understanding the dynamic between these guys. Declan Huxley seems to be the wild card that gets the dirty work done but always in his own way. Akio Savage, the IT genius, treats me like a human and is the conscience of the group, while Matteo Moretti leads the group with a heart of fucking stone, at least toward me.Dickhead.
“You made it so we can’t let her go with your little mask stunt, and we all agreed on the deal with her. She needs to see this. She might catch something we wouldn't. At the very least, this could open her eyes to the reality of what’s been under her nose while working at Helix Enterprises. She’s coming with us, and you are in charge of her while we’re there.” Matteo, ever the bossy asshole, retorts back to him.
“I agree with Teo. It’s time to stop keeping her locked up like a prisoner.” Akio’s soothing tones... Not so soothing when he’s irritated.
“That’s not what I said,” Matteo shoots back at Akio. “She is still a pawn.”
