Page 104 of Fallen Hero

“Is there any way I can spin this?”

“Spin what?” Mason rejoined.

I ignored his question and asked another one of my own. “Is that all you had for them?”

“Yeah. I felt compelled to warn them, but that’s all I had, and they seem to have it under control. So I won’t interfere.” That was nice of her to give them the consideration she hadn’t given me when she’d interfered to get them there. “But you could use them. Keep your cover and go to the party. Get close to him that way. There will be cocktails before the auction. You could get him alone before the inspections begin or he has time to burn you.”

Inspections.

Another reason I was glad I was done. I couldn’t stomach having these conversations anymore. I never really could, they’d always left my stomach in knots, but now I felt the bile crawling up my throat, threatening to choke me. I’d lost whatever it was that had driven me for years to continue down this dark and murky path. I was one step away from a new road, one that wouldn’t make me want to vomit and cry at the same time. My new route would have me burying my head in the sand and pretending the world where women were inspected before they were sold didn’t exist.

“That won’t work,” I told her. “I need to think. But before I let you go, you should know I quit today and told Tom never to call me again.”

“About fucking time,” she breathed.

I had to believe she meant that.

“The only thing I ask is, if he sends you in to take me out, that you show me respect and do it while looking me in the face.”

Mason made a feral sound that wasn’t quite a growl and more of a beastly snarl.

“If I wasn’t in Berlin, I’d smack you, Calista, for even thinking I’d do such a thing.”

I had to believe she meant that too. I was out of options. I needed to be able to trust that Atlanta would have my back on one more thing.

“Berlin?”

“Yes, bitch.” Her insult held no heat. “Berlin. You know, where Jason runs his den of debauchery. I’m looking for his traitor, though I hate to say it, I’m coming up with nothing. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up until you put him in the ground. After that, it won’t be necessary, because he’ll take the power, and we’ll know who was looking to overthrow the king.”

“I’m sorry I said that to you.”

“You’re forgiven, but only because I know why you think the worst of everyone. Call me back when you’re done thinking or if you need help coming up with something. You’ve got three days to make your move, then he’s scheduled to fly home.”

“Got it. Thanks.”

“Who’s Jason Anderson?” Mason seethed.

He could seethe and foam at the mouth for all the answers he wanted. None would be forthcoming.

He’d fucked me—in more ways than one.

“Ask Shep,” I tossed out, and started for the archway that would lead to the foyer. “I’m going out to get a coffee from the corner. I’ll be back in thirty minutes to get my stuff and get out of your hair.”

“Calista, I don’t think you should go anywhere until we understand what’s going on,” Pete said. His tone was neutral and placating; however, the pinch of his brows and stiffness in his shoulders told the real tale. He was anything but relaxed. He was firmly on Team Mason and pissed I hadn’t divulged my plans.

“I appreciate all your help, please believe I mean that. But this isn’t your business either. Mason has the information for the auction. Obviously I cannot attend. I can hook you up with my man here in Dubai. He can get you whatever weapons you’ll need. But I’m out.”

Mason stood so quickly the chair he’d been sitting in wobbled before it fell back on its legs. Too bad I couldn’t have my foundation shaken and land back on my feet so quickly. A decade’s worth of planning and maneuvering and obsessing—all leading me to this very moment—could go up in flames.

I no longer had the upper hand.

Jason knew I was coming.

“You’re not going out to coffee,” Mason denied. “We need to talk.”

“I have nothing to say to you, Mason. You took something from me I wasn’t offering, and in doing so, you might’ve taken away my only opportunity to find the peace I desperately need.”

I didn’t wait for his rebuttal. I turned and stomped into the foyer. It wasn’t my most graceful exit from a room. I was no less infuriated when I stabbed at the button to call the elevator, but the guilt of my low blow had started to form.