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* * *
Walking into the office this morning feels strange. I feel like I’m an imposter here.
Benny not being here doesn’t help me feel at ease, Owen kept him at head office so he is ready to move at a moment’s notice when the meet happens.
“This whole operation is off the books until we can prove Quintin’s involvement.” I grit my teeth and clench the armrests of my chair.
“So, what you’re fucking saying is, if shit goes wrong then I’m on my own?” Owen purses his lips and nods stiffly. I fly out of my chair and smack my hands flat against the boardroom table and hunch over to glare at Owen. “If shit goes sideways, who the fuck pulls me out?” I shout. Owen shoots a loaded look at Leonie; the latter at least has the decency to look sheepish as she looks to me.
“We can’t run this on the books, Kacey. Quintin is the fucking director of the FBI. We can’t run this on the books. It has to stay confidential until we have solid proof that he has been on the payroll. I swear to you, Kacey, we will do whatever we can to pull you out but you knew this would be a risk.”
“Owen never said I would be on my own from the moment of transfer. If they intercept the prison transfer van, who the fuck gets me out?” I snap at Leonie, the tight set of her shoulders and the way Owen refuses to look at me tells me all I need to know. “I get captured, I’m on my own, is that it?” They both nod solemnly. I drop back into my chair and scrub a hand down my face. The plan is to stage a look alike prison transfer and broadcast it across all the stations that an agent has been caught pocketing product and cash from raids, to draw the attention of the Albanians. My mug shot will be plastered with the information.
“Yes, we will be with you every step of the way, Kacey. Trust us.” I look at Owen and mull over his words. Six months ago, I would have taken his word and run with it but now, I have no faith in the system. Call me crazy but I’m placing my fate in the hands of my girlfriend and her crime family to save my ass from being executed.
“I wish I could, Owen, but given the fact you purposely left out the part of me being on my own to get me back here doesn’t really put me at ease. I’ll do this job and get you your mole and the head of the Albanian cartel, but after that I want my record wiped and my benefits paid in full.”
Both of their eyes widen. “You’re quitting?” Leonie splutters.
“I’ve been the Draugur for years now. I don’t want to be a ghost anymore so, yes. This will be my final job for the Bureau.” I stand and walk out of the room, with my head held high and feeling lighter than I have in years. This was the last thing keeping me from being with my girl and now I have just eliminated that. For the first time in years, I’m excited for the future.
CHANEL
“What the fuck do you mean Kacey has been arrested?” I yell into the phone, Terry clears his throat before answering me.
“We managed to pick up a call, he’s being transferred from the local precinct to Miami Dade in the next four hours.” I end the call and shove my phone in my pocket. I rush down the hall into Royal’s office to find him, Chaos, Dad and a few of Royal’s guys standing around his desk, they all look at me but I only stare at Royal.
“We move now. They arrested Kacey, the Albanians will take him out in transit.” I push out. I ignore the shouts of the others as I stare at Royal waiting for him to decide.
“Why’d you let Erika live?” his question throws me.
“The fuck are you talking about?” I snap.
“Why the fuck didn’t you take the shot after she got back to her feet at the airfield. Don’t fucking lie to me.” I take a deep breath and grind my fucking teeth.
“Because I knew you fucking loved her and I couldn’t hurt you like that!” I snarl.
“You have my word, if he flipped on us, I won’t take him out for the same reason you couldn’t hurt me. You marked him, Sin, he’s yours to do with as you please. But, the Albanians are free for all. The only trace of presence to be left is the cards, are we clear?”
Within twenty minutes we have all the gear packed into the cars. I’m about to hop in with Royal and Chaos when dad grabs my arm and pulls me back. I spin around and scowl up at him.
“You can’t stop me—”
Dad cuts me off. “You two go, we got the bird coming to get us there quicker and clear the area.” My brows raise in surprise. Dad drags me away from the car as it peels out of the driveway and pulls me around the back of the house where four other men wait. I recognize them as the best snipers Royal has on our team. Gun cases line the ground. Dad rushes forward and pops one of the trunks open and begins to hand me all my tactical gear. I suit up without complaint and press the coms into my ear so we can remain in contact at all times.
“Who’s in charge?” Spencer asks as he looks between me and my dad. I open my mouth to say my father is but he beats me to it.
“Chanel is. This is her mark so we go on her command.” I stare at my father with an open mouth. He smiles proudly down at me. “You can do this. I trained you to be the Hellhound that you are. Lead me and these men on this mission and bring us home.” I snap my mouth closed, stand tall and nod my head.
“I got this,” I say as the helicopter draws in closer. We all grab the cases and crouch low as we rush forward to get in. The moment we are secured inside, the pilot lifts us in the air but I can’t help but look back toward the house to see my mother standing on the back patio.
“She is the reason I never wanted this life for you.” I turn to face my father who keeps his gaze on his wife. “Leaving her behind to worry after me kills her. If I am killed out there, she will never know if I am dead or just captured. If I am killed, she will never have a body to dress, hug one last time or to bury. I never thought you were less than me, Chanel. I always knew you would grow up and surpass me. I just didn’t want it to happen so soon. Never make a rash move, think everything out because I refuse to tell the love of my life, I was unable to bring her only child home safely.”
For weeks Dad and I haven’t seen eye to eye but right now, I sit here and stare at him in a whole new light. He was hard on me because he wanted to ensure I came home alive and safe. He pushed me harder than the boys because he never wanted to be the one to tell my mother I was killed in action. I don’t think as I wrap my arms around him and pull him against me. He’s stiff in my hold for a second before he sighs and returns my embrace.
* * *
“In position.”
