His body seizes before a clipped, surprised chuckle leaves his lips as he pulls back to search my eyes. “I don’t know what hurt worse: watching you fall in love with me even though I tried to keep you away, or not being able to pull you against my chest every single night and hold you… Just holding you would’ve been enough for me.” He pauses and sucks in his lower lip slowly. “There could be endless versions of you, and I’d love each one as fervently and entirely.”
I stuff down the emotions that well at his confession and tip my forehead against his. Our lips brush and heat fills every cold crevice that his absence left inside me.
“I love you. I love every wrong thing you’ve done, every right. We are far from perfect, Cam. Even though I’m still mad at you, I never want to take another breath without you near,” I murmur as he periodically steals kisses between words, only drawing the corners of my mouth up more and more with each one.
“I will always choose you, Em. Over anything. I want to prove that to you. No matter what becomes of me and the monster they made me, I’ll only obey you.” Another sweet kiss against my temple before I woefully push away from him, brushing my thumb over his chin, reluctant to leave.
“I have to get going before I get in too much trouble. I’ll find the key, and won’t be long,” I promise him and stand. He nods wistfully, only furthering the ache in my chest.
“Be careful. Your dad is a fucking maniac,” he says as he lets his eyes trace my features longingly. I’m relieved the pills kicked in and he seems to be in more comfort.
I put on my best reassuring smile before forcing myself to close the door. Hoping that he didn’t see the cracks in my armor. The truth is, I’m scared to death.
My palms are clammy as I quickly stride down the hall toward the elevator. I’m already late to the briefing and will likely be reprimanded. I press the call button and wait as the numbers slowly light up until they reach the eighth floor.
I haphazardly smooth my dress down and straighten my posture stoically before the doors slide open. It’s empty. I exhale sharply and step in, pushing the button for the fourth floor.
The elevatorwhirrsand descends, stopping at the fifth level as three guards step in. They look at me curiously, probably wondering why I’m not already in attendance, but don’t make any comments. I swallow and tap my foot impatiently until we reach the fourth level.
This floor is mostly unused, save for the large meetings that are held in the conference room. It’s expansive enough to easily fit over a hundred people. The gray halls are barren with the exception of a few armed men at the end of the hall.
I nod to the two men standing outside the conference room. One quietly opens the door for me. My fists clench behind my back as I step inside.
Gregory Mavestelli is the first person I see. Father’s black-and-gray hair is styled with gel. He’s leaning forward over the lavish walnut-brown conference table with his hands threaded together. His lips are pressed to his hands, but I can tell he’s scowling just bythe set of his brows and the impatience in his eyes. His suit is black, with a dark gray vest and blood-red tie.
Reed is seated to his left and gives me a worried look, further confirming that I’m going to get scolded for being late. I’d do it over again if I had to.
I force my eyes down and try to find a seat quickly, but Greg says loudly, “Emery, your place is up here with us.” His tone is dull and calm, but I know underneath his skin he’s boiling with rage.Shit, I shouldn’t have stayed so long.
My anxiety piques and blood rushes through my head, making me dizzy as I walk as properly and expressionless as I can to the front of the room.
I awkwardly move to stand behind my father, and he continues on with the briefing. There are at least fifty people in here, all staring at me and my father.
“As I was saying, the Henderson family will be picking up the product in the Brooksdale building in the city, here.” He clicks the slide controller and an image of a map and photo of a building pop up. “We’re going to send in our executioner two days earlier than the planned pickup as I suspect that Henderson is going to try to sabotage the deal. He’s attempted to steal from me before, and I won’t allow it again.”
My eyes flick down to the back of Greg’s head.This is the first time I’m hearing about this job.I avert my gaze back to the members of the family sitting below. There’s at least fifty of them here, which is a surprising turnout for any of our international hideouts.
If the flash drive belonged to my father, then the Dark Forces are clearly on his trail already for whatever it is that he’s trading. But what could have been so important on there that even General Nolan wanted it? Was it a lure?
I bite the inside of my cheek and try not to worry about anything other than saving Cameron right now. I’ll have to dosome recon later and see if I can get my father to tell me what was on that drive.
I hope everyone got out okay.I think of Mikah, Erik, Thomas, and Gage. Kayden’s body was likely buried by the rubble of the destroyed building. I sullen at the thought.
“We have one month to prepare. I want all the product on the ship and have it sailing by the end of this week. The address above is where we’ll store everything until the trade is set to take place on Rømø. It’s important that we have twenty-four-hour security. I may be forced to hire a contractor team as well, given that we now have an interesting group of highly trained soldiers that have stolen from us.” My father’s tone is grave, and I don’t miss the pause he takes to turn his head slightly in my direction.
Denmark?Most of his trades are usually in Italy or Germany. Why the sudden switch? Because it’s a vast beach and sea? Low suspicion? I swallow nervously and try to keep a calm demeanor. I haven’t been gone that long, but it already seems like so much has changed.
He’s hurting Cameron to get information on why we were in the Great Basin to steal the flash drive. Lieutenant Erik hardly shared most of the details regarding the mission so he wouldn’t know anything anyway…unless they met in private.
The wild thoughts are enough to drive a person mad. I’m growing restless just knowing that Cameron is waiting for me to return with the key.
I should’ve asked him which guard would have it.I drown out the rest of Greg’s words as he continues the briefing, letting my eyes shift from waist to waist in search of a set of keys.
My heart sinks when I don’t find any sign of them on the head guards, Reed’s hip or Greg’s.Shit.I don’t remember what the man posted outside Cameron’s door looked like.
The briefing wraps up. I try to slip away as quickly as I can,but I’m caught by Reed. His grip is tight around my wrist. I glare at him but the look on his face makes me still. His brows are pulled together and his eyes are reluctant. We’ve known each other for half of my life, so I know without a doubt that he’s trying to relay something to me.
“You really got yourself in a hole this time.” His tone is low and it makes ants crawl through my chest.
