Page 9 of Anarchy Chained: Alpha Thomas

I look at him. Warily. Did he send me that note? God. Please, no. I’ve been patient. I really have. I’ve been waiting for Case and Linc to get their shit together all month, but honestly, I’m about done with this place. I can’t stay here.

“Tell me what I need to be ready for,” I say. “And I’ll let you know.”

“Ready to get the fuck out, right? I’m sure you miss the outside. Your SkyEye business isn’t doing too well. Have you seen the stock reports?” Randy Shits laughs. “So just play nice, sign the papers, and we’ll send someone to get your suit.”

My suit. My own fucking suit. It’s a good start as far as negotiations go. At least for me. I hate these scrubs. I hate that room. I hate these people.

Well, I hate all people, but these people are at the top of the list at the moment.

“Sorry,” I say. “I won’t be signing anything today.”

“You sure about that?” Chief says. “I’m gonna need you to be very sure about that, Brooks. Because if you say no to me now, there won’t be a second chance. Just think of all that money you’re losing while we keep SkyEye shut down. Just think of your future. You can walk out of here right now.”

“You don’t even have to ride home with us,” Randy says. “I’ll call you a cab.”

“But the point is,” the chief says, “you will go home. Today. By tonight this place will be nothing but a bad dream.”

“His answer is no.” We all look up to see Yasmine standing in the open door. “I’m afraid he’s not interested in your little deal, gentlemen. He’s much too loyal for that. But you can tell the governor that I will have what he needs by tonight.” She winks at me. “Thomas and I have a date this afternoon. I tried to do this the easy way, but he’s resistant.”

“Ma’am,” Randy says, “the governor told us—”

“The governor told you to try and I told the governor I’d give you one chance. You had your chance. He’s refused your offer. Now it’s time to go and let me finish the job.”

Yasmine looks like a prowling lioness who hasn’t eaten in weeks. The hunger for me lingers in her eyes, even as Randy and O’Neil go silent, then recover and start peppering her with questions.

“On whose authority?”

“We just talked to the governor. He told us to make the deal happen.”

Yasmine holds her gaze on me for another pregnant second, then turns her head and smiles at them. “You failed. So he’s mine now. Guards, take Mr. Brooks up to my office and prep him.”

“Prep him for what?” Randy asks.

I’d like to hear her answer—I’d really, really like to hear that answer—but I’m tugged away just as an alarm sounds, sending the whole day room into chaos.