Page 121 of Villainous Rise

I straightened up, trying to shake off the unsettled feeling. “Well, at least he agreed to help. That’s something, right?”

Before Havoc could answer, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, frowning at the notification of a text from an unknown number.

Hello, Annie Bishop.

I shivered and showed the screen to Havoc. “He’s already found my number.”

Havoc’s expression darkened, but I forced a reassuring smile.

“Look at it this way—if he can find my private number this quickly, maybe he really can help us solve these deaths before anyone else gets hurt.”

Havoc didn’t look convinced, and honestly, neither was I. But we were out of options, and time was running out.

I stared at my phone, watching as another message from Wraith appeared on the screen.

I need to examine the faulty tech. Physical access to at least two of the failed devices.

I relayed Wraith’s message to Havoc.

“We can arrange that,” he said. “The shield generator from the Keeper at the Nexus match is in evidence storage, and I believe we still have a belt from a junior Hero that malfunctioned.”

I nodded, typing a response to Wraith.

We can provide that. How do you want to arrange the transfer?

The reply came almost instantly, as if he’d been waiting for my question.

Warehouse 37, Pier District. Midnight. Come alone or the deal is off and you’re on your own.

I showed Havoc the screen and he narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like this, Annie. Something doesn’t feel right.”

I understood his concern. The Pier District was notorious for being a neutral zone where both Heroes and Villains conducted their shadier business. It wasn’t officially lawless, but it might as well have been after dark.

“I’ll be careful,” I promised. “And I’ll keep my emergency beacon on me the entire time.”

Havoc didn’t look convinced, but he knew as well as I did that we were running out of options. More people would die if we didn’t figure out who was behind these deaths.

“Fine,” he finally conceded. “But we’ll have a team on standby nearby. First sign of trouble, you activate that beacon.”

I nodded, relieved he wasn’t going to fight me on this.

Havoc cleared his throat, the sound somehow managing to fill the entire office. “Is there anything you’d like to share with me, Annie?”

My stomach dropped. Right. Cipher had dropped me off at the Tower.

I’m an adult, I reminded myself. A grown woman who could absolutely have this conversation without dying of mortification. It will be easy. So, so easy. Incredibly easy.

I felt like I was going to throw up.

“I’m seeing Cipher,” I blurted out, the words tumbling over each other in their rush to escape. “I mean, I haven’t forgiven him for what he did. Not completely. But he’s been... he’s been looking out for me. For months.”

I took a deep breath and forced myself to meet Havoc’s eyes.

“He’s had food delivered when I forget to eat. He’s had men protecting me since everything with Dread.” The words spilled out like I’d opened a floodgate. “I didn’t know about any of it until recently.”

Havoc’s expression remained frustratingly neutral, which somehow made it worse. I’d expected shock, maybe even anger.

“And you’re surprised by this?” he asked finally.