“I had my suspicions when I saw the bullet from your gun. He gave that to you, right?”
I nod, and it’s admitting I lied because I told them I got it from my dad’s study after he died.
“The bullet had distinguishing markings on it, and I knew I’d come across that image on the darknet before. I’ve been trawling through shit trying to relocate it, and I finally did.”
Tension is so thick the air is borderline claustrophobic.
“Who do the bullets belong to?” I ask.
“A mercenary group who operates on the fringes of society, hiding in the shadows. They’re called VERO. For years, stories of their existence were like an urban legend because they left no trace. Until a couple years back and some bullet casings, like the one you had, were discovered at the scene of this massive explosion in Germany. Since then, I’ve read shit on the darknet. I’m not sure exactly what is truth and what is fiction, but it’s said they are a global operation, composed of ex-CIA, ex-FBI, and ex-Homeland Security. Highly skilled individuals who lacked the discipline to remain in the employment of the US government.”
“Who do they work for? Who owns it?” Saint asks.
“This is where it gets scary,” he admits, and chills creep up my spine. “If the intel I’ve gathered is correct, they hide behind a shell corporation, so it looks like a legit multimillion-dollar global private security firm. But it’s just a front. This organization carries out deadly and dangerous missions, the type no one wants anyone to know about. We are talking major shit here. And if it got out, it would be a global scandal. Enough to cause mass hysteria and mass damage.”
“Who is behind it, Theo?” Saint barks, his patience finally snapping.
“The government,” Theo admits, pinning his eyes on me. “Diesel is working for the US government’s biggest secret.”
CHAPTER 17
Harlow
ISIT INstunned silence, unable to form a single coherent thought. I mean, it’s not like I haven’t considered the possibility Diesel was CIA or Homeland Security, but I always dismissed it because why on Earth would he get involved with me? And this revelation is so much bigger than that.A secret government mercenary group up to shady shit?I believe our government can establish such an operation, but the connection to me is what I can’t wrap my head around. “It makes no sense,” I blurt, my eyes fixing on Theo. “Why would Diesel train me if he’s a part of such a dangerous, secret government organization?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” Saint says.
“We should haul his ass in and demand answers,” Galen supplies.
“No fucking way.” Caz folds his arms around his chest. “We start asking questions about that kind of shit, and we all end up dead or imprisoned and tortured.”
“Caz makes a valid point.” Saint scrubs a hand back and forth across the top of his head. “We need to think this through.” He glances at me. “He can’t know we know.”
I nod, still in a bit of a daze. “He may come to us first, anyway. If he listens to that recording.”
“Then, we play dumb and say nothing about this.” There is no mistaking the gravity of the situation. While I don’t think Diesel would hurt me, he has no loyalty to the guys. It would be crazy stupid to ignore the threat, because who knows what his boss would do should he discover we know the truth?
“How did my dad cross paths with Diesel?” I murmur. My head jerks up as an idea lodges in my brain. My eyes meet Theo’s. “Do you think my dad was working with them?”Is that why there are coded files hidden in the floor in his office at the cabin?
Saint rises, coming around the couch to walk to where Theo and I are standing. “We’ve got to assume it’s a possibility.”
“Then, there’s something you need to know.” We sit back down, and I tell them about the files.
“Where are they?” Theo asks. “I’d like to go through them. Maybe we could figure it out together?”
This is the shady part, because while I want to trust them fully, the cabin is my safe haven, and I’m reluctant to reveal it. It’s my last closely guarded secret. The special place that holds so many precious memories of weekends with Dad. I’m not ready to share it yet.
“They are hidden for safekeeping,” I admit. “But I’ll retrieve them soon and bring them to your place in the forest. Then, maybe, we can crack the code together.”
_______________
I’m getting changedin my bedroom when there’s a knock on my door. I left the guys downstairs, reeling from my revelation about the secret files, because my head is about to explode, and I’ve reached my limit today. Besides, I want to visit my bestie, and there is only a short window of opportunity as the hospital visiting hours end soon.
I push my feet into my sneakers and swing the door open. Galen stands there, propped against the doorway, looking anxious. “I’ll give you a ride to the hospital.”
“I’m driving myself.” I swipe the keys to my Lexus off the bedside table and grab my jacket from the end of the bed.
“Until we deal with The Bulls, we feel it’s best if one of us goes with you everywhere.”
