“Looking forward to it.”
We emerged from the bunker into afternoon sunlight that felt too bright after the darkness inside. Mia remained silent, pressed up against my side like she had the whole time, doing her best to draw no attention to herself. Oliver gestured toward one of the cabins. “You’ll be staying there. Next to my quarters, actually. I like to keep valuable assets close.”
Control. Everything about Oliver was control. The compound layout, the information compartmentalization, now the room assignment. Keep us where he could monitor every move.
Oliver’s attention shifted back to Mia, those pale eyes studying her with an intensity that made my skin crawl. “My men tell me you just acquired her yesterday. At the barn, was it? Quite the fortunate coincidence, finding such a lovely woman wandering around.”
The words carried weight, suspicion wrapped in casual observation. Snake must have briefed him already. Maybe Diesel too. They were testing my story, looking for cracks.
“If you’re asking if I knew she’d be there, no.” I met his gaze directly, letting a hint of irritation color my voice. “But I’m not one to waste an opportunity when it presents itself.”
“Ah. And where are you from originally, my dear?”
Mia stayed silent, playing the intimidated woman perfectly. I answered for her, establishing the dynamic. “Does it matter? She’s here now.”
“Just making conversation.” Oliver’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “She yours exclusively, or do you share your toys?”
“No sharing.” I kept my tone flat but final. “I don’t play well with others when it comes to what’s mine. Don’t like sloppy seconds.”
“Just entertainment, though? Nothing serious?”
“Nothing’s ever serious.” The words tasted like battery acid. “But while she’s mine, she’s mine alone.”
Oliver circled us slowly, predator assessing prey. “She’s quite lovely. Excellent physical condition too.” His pale eyes gleamed with something that made my skin crawl. “That’s good. Very good.”
Every instinct screamed danger. This wasn’t casual interest—this was something specific, calculated.
“Possessive, I see. I respect that.” He stopped directly in front of us. “The Gathering starts in three days. Our buyers, our allies, all coming together to celebrate our cause. Weapons demonstrations, strategic planning, and…” His smile turned predatory “…entertainment. Once everyone arrives, things get…interesting.”
“Entertainment?” I kept my voice neutral.
“We’re not just revolutionaries, Coop. We’re brotherhood. And brotherhood requires certain…initiations. Tests of commitment.” His gaze flicked to Mia again. “I think you’ll find it educational. Both of you.”
Somehow, I didn’t think Oliver’s definition ofeducationalmatched mine. Mia felt it too. She inched closer.
“Looking forward to it,” I managed.
“I’m sure you are.” Oliver turned toward the lodge, dismissing us with a wave. “Get settled. Tomorrow at 0800, you’ll evaluate our inventory. Don’t be late.”
The cabin was nicer than expected—electricity, running water, actual furniture instead of military surplus. My first instinct was to sweep for bugs immediately, but that would be wrong. Coop the arms dealer wouldn’t check for surveillance. He’d expect it, maybe even respect Oliver for it. Paranoia was currency in this world.
So I played it casual, tossing my stuff on the bed while my eyes did the real work. The only one I clocked immediately was in the corner of the main room—small camera, probably motion-activated. I knew there had to be more—bathroom possibly,bedroom definitely. Nothing I could confirm without making it obvious I was looking. Oliver was a twisted fuck though, so he’d want to see everything.
Audio would be harder to spot without equipment, but I had to assume the rooms were wired for sound. The electrical outlets, the light fixtures, maybe even behind the headboard. Oliver struck me as the type who’d want to hear every word, every whisper, every sound in the night. Information was power, and he was collecting all of it.
The smart play was to act like I hadn’t noticed. Let Oliver think he had the upper hand, that we were performing for him without knowing it. Everything we said, everything we did, would have to assume an audience. Our conversations would need to stay in character even when we were alone.
“Get over here. I need to smell something nice, after all the testosterone in this place.” I said the words loudly as I pulled Mia close, then leaned down to speak directly into her ear to defeat any audio surveillance. “We need to be careful. Oliver’s watching everything in here.”
She turned her face into my neck, lips barely moving. “There are cameras?”
“One definitely, but I’m sure there’re more. Just follow my lead.”
I pulled back and spoke at normal volume, for our audience. “I need to take a piss.”
In the bathroom, I spotted the camera immediately—poorly concealed in the vent above the mirror. I reached up and ripped it out, holding the device up to examine it.
I walked back into the main room, holding the camera up for the other surveillance devices to see.
