Page 45 of Perfect Chaos

“I didn’t exactly have time to ask him why he left the house. I’m assuming it was to buy the burner phone so he could call me.”

“Okay, well what information did he have?”

“He asked what you plan to do with the intel and I told him that you were going to take care of the problem. He said he found a large payment from WD Navicorp LLC. Does that name mean anything to you?”

“That's the exact account I expect the money to come from. He found the proof we needed to move in. What happened next?” It’s my brother that response to that information as he braces one hand on the table in front of him while looking down at what seems to be a map of the city.

“His car was hit from behind; he said that two armed men were forcing him from the car. He is only in this mess because I asked for his help. We have to do something. You know I wouldn't normally ask for anything.”

“Ramos, you don't have to plead with me. We get that he's like family. We already plan to act on the matter. Either way, now that we have the information, his being captured only speeds up our timeline; there are only a few places in the area Vin would have brought him. Do you know where he was taken from? It might help narrow it down for us.”

“Yeah, he was at Concourse and 5th.”

“Can you log in to this system on the back desk? Pull up any city cameras around the intersection. I want as many angles as you can get.”

“Yeah, I can pull it up; give me about five minutes.”

The computer is already powered on and ready to go. I slide into the desk chair, getting to work immediately. My fingers are flying across the keyboard. I start with the local traffic cameras first, easily finding the traffic camera stationed at the bank across the street. I hack into a few other cameras in the area, giving me coverage of the entire area and the moment they hit Gavin’s car.

Hearing it happen was one thing, adding the sound replaying in my head to the video makes the guilt even heavier in my chest. I got him kidnapped when I didn’t even want to be a part of this lifestyle. I wipe invisible sweat from my forehead as I call to my brother. “I have the camera feed of the wreck and him being removed from the car.”

My brother strolls over to me, placing the map down in front of me. “The red circles are his known compounds and any safe houses we were able to track down. Can you follow the getaway car through the camera feed to see what direction they go in? If we are able to get a general area, then we can narrow down his location. We will only get one chance at this, so we have to get it right.”

I continue working without responding. Flipping through several different traffic cameras, I comb through different angles and side streets until I finally find what I am looking for.

“We got him. The car was last seen closest to the warehouse on Walnut Ave.” A hint of pride swelling in my chest.

“Good Job, I didn’t think you would find it that quickly. Do you have any preference on how we handle this, Ramos?“

“I have to make a call. I respect your operation. I don't wanna go above you on this, but there are two people who at least deserve to know what's going on. I'm positive Atlas will want to help, but overall it's your mission.”

“I can respect that. I plan to have a small team breach the warehouse with a better chance of getting in and out without being detected that way. I will have backup on standby in case things go south. Are you staying back or going in?

“I'm going in; he is there because of me. Plus, it will be easier to run technical interference from inside the building.”

“Okay. Handle your business, and we will get the team ready. We move tonight.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Maizyn

It's been over an hour without a word from Gavin. Atlas seems to think it's no big deal, but the sinking feeling in my stomach is telling me otherwise. Dread and anxiety bubble together to the point that I'm nauseous. I really hope I am overreacting and letting my mind spiral for no reason other than waiting for the other shoe to fall.

I try distracting myself by reading a book, but I've been curled up on the couch opposite Atlas with my feet in his lap, reading the same page over and over again for what seems like two hours. My phone vibrates where it's resting on the table, indicating a notification. My anxiety pushes me to jump up, discarding my book in the spot I just vacated. My heart races when I see Gavin's name across the screen. My phone unlocks with facial biometrics as I swipe up on the notification to open the text message from him. My palms sweat as my heart drops to my stomach. I reread the words, hoping somehow they will rearrange themselves to mean something entirely different than the message I am currently looking at.

Gavin: I know this is a conversation we should have had face to face. But it's just another example of why I don't deserve you in my life. Atlas and your relationship will be better off without me getting involved, and I'm sorry it took me so long to see that. Tell Atlas thanks for everything.

The phone slips from my grasp as my vision blurs. Atlas jumps to his feet to cup my face with his hands. “What's going on, Chaos? What just happened?” He wipes the tears trailing down my face, kissing each cheek before pulling my head against his chest. His heart is beating as fast as mine is, but I can't bring myself to tell him what's wrong yet. I feel my chest tighten as I try to suck in a breath. He must connect the dots because he bends to pick up my phone. He holds it between us, silently asking permission to look at whatever spooked me.

I give a tiny nod of approval. His eyes drop to the screen as I watch him scan over the message. I know when he realizes just how bad the situation is. He squeezes the phone in his grasp until his knuckles turn white. I expect him to blame me for making him lose his best friend. I brace myself for the fallout from him reverting to his old self, and this becoming a screaming match. What I didn't expect was for him to sigh in defeat before telling me none of this was my fault. He places my phone back onto the table before he takes a steadying breath, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear before pulling me with him as he lies down on the couch and cradles me to create a safe place for me to feel all of my emotions. He doesn't tell me that I'm too much or that my chaos only ruined his life yet again. No, he rubs soothing circles across my back, while giving me all the time I need to put myself back together. He helps calm my anxiety while simultaneously dealing with his own emotional warfare. I don't know how he does it. How was he able to remain in control while we are both sitting here falling apart?

As the minutes tick by, my breath gradually returns to normal as my sadness begins to boil over into anger. Atlas senses the shift in my mood instantly. Removing his arms from around me as I begin pushing against his chest. My body moves on instinct, rising to my feet; the emotions have to go somewhere. I feel too much to sit still; my feet start moving on their own accord. He watches me intently while I pace back and forth in the living room. Not an ounce of judgment shadows his features; he simply allows me to do what I need while waiting until I need him. My head tilts to the side. My feet come to a halt as a plan of action is finally forming in my head.

“Having my feelings hurt sucks. Don't get me wrong, but I at least deserve the respect of him telling me to my face.”

“I agree. So what do you wanna do about it, Chaos?”

“I want to go find him and make him face his choices. I want him to tell me to my face why he keeps running from this when we know we work well together.” I can't hide the exasperation i currently feel. My hands clench into fists as I try to keep the lid on my emotions. “You deserve answers too. You've been friends forever. We can make this work, I know we can, I just have to convince him to try.”