“What’s that?”
One hand comes down on my shoulder, the other on my arm. I shift on instinct, but it’s too late. He twists hard.Pop.
A nauseating pain immediately floods my body. I reach up and a hand to my shoulder as he drops my arm. It drops useless at my side.
“I’m the one in control,” he says into my ear before stepping back around. “You won’t be on the next mission,” he says, conversational. Like he didn’t just pop my arm out of its socket.
I grit my teeth as I breathe through the pain. “Okay.”
That’s all I can manage.
“You’ll make sure Dakota takes your place.”
He walks to his desk, hitting a button on his phone.
“Why?” I grunt out through my pants.
Two large men enter the room, I recognize them as my father’s favorite goons.
“Because, I said so,” he snaps, and they grab me.
A yell tears out of me as one of them grabs my dislocated shoulder and squeezes.
He sighs as he shrugs off his jacket, rolling up his sleeves. “Time for some maintenance.”
17 DIE FIGHTING
“Oh, hell no.” The words come out on a breath.
I push away from my desk, slamming the lid of my laptop down. All eyes in the room look to me.
“Iz?” Maeve’s eyes are wide.
I shake my head.I’m going to explode.
Without a second glance I’m storming out of the room. I can hear their footsteps behind me, my name being called, but it all fades in comparison to my pulse pounding in my ears.
How could he?
Why?
I don’t understand. I need answers. I’m sick of being kept in the dark.
Everything is a blur as my mind focuses like a missile seeking its target. Guild members stop and stare as I slam open doors and trudge through. I don’t care.
The door to Lucian’s office slams against the wall. It bounces back and nearly hits Maeve. Noah stops it with a hand and I give him a small nod of appreciation.
Lucian stands from his desk. “What’s all this about?” His face isscrunched in confusion or worry. Or is it just a mask? Did I ever really know him at all?
“I just got a very interesting email from Gideon, complete with files attached. What happened to mom’s family?” I narrow my eyes at him.
His expression smoothens as the silence stretches. I can see the calculation in his eyes as he decides how much to tell me.
“Gracie—”
“Don’t you dare.” I shake my head. “I won’t be placated with another lie.”
Lucian looks past my shoulder.
