Page 114 of Trapped Truth

“I don’t care. Right now, you’re all mine.”

CHAPTER 19

HYLAND

SPELL IT OUT - YOU ME AT SIX

In the SUV’s cupholder, a vibration emanates from my stashed phone. Can’t catch a break even while hiding in the goddamn car. I glance up from the fire department’s incident report to slide it free and check my messages.

Willow: Ethan has us under lockdown. Should I be worried?

My innards twist and wring, awash with anxious acidity.

Hyland: We all should be.

Willow: Please be safe. I can’t lose anyone else.

Hyland: You won’t have to.

Whether or not I believe my own shallow reassurances remains to be seen. Willow and her family don’t need to carry my fears. I trust Ethan to keep them safe while we battle on the frontlines of this never-ending fight.

Returning to the official account of Blaine’s bolthole fire, the specifics are sparse. Officials are still identifying human remains from the ashy wreckage, but a variety of illegal substances have been identified, leftover from Blaine’s underground operation.

It’s enough to tie the incident to criminal activity. As for the police investigation, it was simple enough for Sabre to assume jurisdiction. We know what happened. Bringing local law enforcement into the fold will only complicate our case and incriminate Blaine.

I’ve reread the black-and-white print three times by the time my teammates emerge from the underground entrance to HQ. Warner and Blaine boast matching glowers, while Ember lingers behind to match Axel’s slightly slower pace.

“How did it go?” I ask when the doors open.

“Ask him.” Warner climbs into the passenger seat, awkwardly manoeuvring his prosthetic.

Sliding into the backseat, Blaine slams his door harder than necessary. “Ember’s brother read me the riot act.”

“In all fairness, you’ve continued to operate an illegal criminal empire after accepting a clemency agreement,” I point out. “Be glad it hasn’t been rescinded.”

“My illegal empire has saved Sabre Security’s backside on multiple occasions.”

“Doesn’t change the terms of the deal.” Warner sighs.

“The directors didn’t see it that way when they required my intelligence or wished to exploit my resources.”

“You work for them now.” I turn in my seat to remind him. “What did you expect?”

After a pause, Axel clambers into the backseat, shortly followed by Ember. Both appear equally weary. I’m relieved I skipped the legal bollocking to call Jayce in the car to check on Luke.

“I didn’t expect an official warning.” Blaine glares out the window like he can shatter the glass with his mind alone.

“They have to reprimand you,” Ember counters.

“I’m not a child who needs their wrist slapped.”

She frowns at Blaine then meets my gaze in the mirror. “Please take us home. My head is killing me.”

“You have a headache?”

“More like a drill digging into my brain, and this conversation isn’t helping.”

“Any other symptoms?” I twist again, this time to pin a stern look on her, searching for any signs of a seizure.