“Cyril.I didn’t expect you to be on this phone call.”
“I didn’t expect you to fuck up my life, yet here we are.”
She laughed.“I can see why Roux chose you.You’re delightful.”
“And you’re an asshole.”
“I’ve been called worse things.”
“I’m not very creative, but I’m sure I could come up with something else if you push me.”
Cyril had no idea what was wrong with him.He wouldn’t normally dare talk like that to anyone, but he couldn’t seem to stop.He hated that Helena had reduced him to this.
“Well, since you’re on the phone, I might as well ask you if you want to work for me directly.We pay extremely well.You’d never have to worry about the future again, and you’d be able to protect your mother and whoever you care about.”
“I just heard you threatening my mother and Robbie.Do you really think I’d want to work with you after that?”
“Honestly, I don’t care what you want.You’ll work for me whether you like it or not.”
She still sounded amused, but there was a vein of coldness in her voice, too.It made Cyril shiver, and all of his bravery flew right out the window.
Cyril was scared.He’d been scared even before he started talking to Helena, but this wasn’t helping.She sounded threatening in a way Cyril had only encountered once before, and when he had, things hadn’t gone well for him.He’d been lucky that Vale had managed to find and save him.
Vale offered Cyril his hand.Cyril hated how hesitant his boyfriend was, but it was his fault, and they were working through things.He could trust Vale to keep him safe, even from Helena.He wouldn’t have abandoned Cyril even if they’d broken up.
Cyril took his boyfriend’s hand and squeezed hard.He didn’t have to look at the phone to continue talking to Helena, but he did anyway because watching Vale hurt.“I’ll never work for you,” he told her.“I’ll never work for your Organization.It’s rotten, and I don’t work for rotten people.”
That wasn’t strictly true since some of the people Cyril had reanimated hadn’t been in the best of shape, but he thought that Helena got what he was saying.He needed her to understand that he’d never willingly do anything for the Organization that was hunting down his boyfriend and that thought nothing of threatening his mother.He didn’t care what Helena was saying or what she could offer.That was a hard line for him, and it was a line he wouldn’t cross.
“I’m not sure you understand how powerful and rich the Organization is,” Helena said.
“And I’m not sure you understand that I don’t care how much money you’re offering me.”
“A sum with seven zeros, Cyril.”
Cyril swallowed.Thatwasa lot of money, and he could do many things with it.He could protect his mother and ensure that whatever happened, she’d be fine.He could buy a home and stay away from the people who disliked him just because of what he could do.
It was only a fleeting thought.No matter what Helena was offering, he wasn’t taking it.“You can take all those zeros and go fuck yourself, lady,” he snapped.He didn’t care how Helena felt about his language.He was pretty sure his mother would agree with him and would encourage him.Hell, she might throw a few insults in herself.
There was a pause before Helena answered.“I’m afraid this isn’t going to be a choice for you, Cyril.You’ll work for the Organization whether you like it or not.I was trying to sweeten the deal, but it’ll be cheaper for me if I can force you.Roux, this is my offer.Hand yourself over, along with Cyril.You’ll die as quickly as possible, and Cyril will work for me.His family and friends will be left alone.If neither of you agree to work with me on this, well, I hope you like funerals.”
She hung up without waiting for an answer.Cyril waited for a second before he slumped against Vale.Thankfully, he had Cyril’s back.He always would, no matter what was happening between them.Cyril was sure of that.
“You okay?”Vale asked before kissing the top of Cyril’s head.
“Honestly, I don’t know.I don’t like her.”
Vale chuckled.“I don’t think anyone likes her.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Well, the first thing I’ll do is call Artemis.She’ll need to know.Brutus, too.”
The way Vale and his two friends used their real names and codenames interchangeably usually amused Cyril, but right now, it was a reminder of what was happening and of who they were.He shuddered and took a step back, leaning forward again to kiss Vale’s cheek before Vale could think he was rejecting him.“I’m going to lie down for a bit.Come find me once your phone call is over?”
“I will.Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m not, but there’s not much you can do about it.”
