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“I’m not saying it’s the best occupation, but I also understand that people like me are necessary.”
“Necessary?”
“I’m in quality control,” he stated casually, offering a charming smile. “What I do is complicated. There are multiple layers but consider my career to be waste management in a sense.”
“Quality control and waste management?”
Carter was staring at her so intently she felt the weight of him brushing her skin. He did that a lot and his expression was always the same, a mixture of several emotions—possession, reverence, and a need for acceptance.
“Yes, that’s what I do.”
When she narrowed her stare his smile expanded.
“Are you insinuating that it’s not?”
“No, but that’s a very creative way to describe your actual occupation.”
Carter chuckled and nodded, folding his arms across his chest.
“My magic hands are used to handle quality control. Quality of the people who are allowed to breathe the same air as us, Kenni. When someone proves they’re no longer deserving, then I dispose of the waste. Those people I’m hired to make disappear are waste. You call it playing God. I consider it balance. Nothing exists without balance.”
He studied her face, watching, waiting, and eventually she gave what he understood to be a truce. She was accepting of the man he was and Carter wasn’t sure if he should be happy or disappointed by the gesture. It was too late. He needed McKenna. So whatever she was willing to offer, he’d accept without question.
“What’s the plan?”
“Plan for what?”
“Fixing this?”
“I have some people to see who can hopefully help me narrow down who I need to focus on. When I get back…”
“You’re leaving?”
“This situation won’t correct itself.”
“Can I go?”
Carter’s expression turned cold before he could catch himself.
“Can you handle what might happen?”
His eyes caught hers in challenge. Carter planned on pulling up on Lynx. He wasn’t convinced Lynx hadn’t played a role in a price being placed on McKenna’s life. It was highly likely the task was unintentional, but Lynx also wasn’t a fool. He had clear insight on what happened when he provided information. He wasn’t in the dark on the type of men who paid top dollar for leverage. Everyone had their price and Jessup had plenty of expendable funds he was willing to promise to anyone willing to hand over what he wanted.
My suffering by way of hurting someone I cared about was at the top of that list.
“I…are you going to…” She hesitated and Carter stared intently, waiting.
McKenna rolled her shoulders back, ensuring her posture was dominant. “I can handle it.”
“Eat.”
“Is that a yes or no?” She frowned, ignoring the command.
“That was a maybe. Eat.” Carter pointed to her food before he stood, taking his with him. He dropped the container on the kitchen counter and headed to the bedroom. There were a few calls he needed to make before he could agree to allowing McKenna to tag along. If she was going to be a part of his world, she needed to fully understand what his world looked like. But he hadn’t yet decided if she was equipped to handle all the moving pieces.
“You do exactly what I say, no questions, no debate, understood?”
McKenna nodded. She glanced at the small, one-level house and swallowed thickly. The paint was peeling, the wood appeared to be rotting, and the windows were dark, covered with what looked like black draping. Nothing about the home looked appealing and she was beginning to second guess demanding to tag along.
