“Where did you take the kid?”
“To a safe house we have in the city. He’ll be well looked after and heavily guarded,” Knight confirms.
“We’ve already sent the communication to Petrov, and we’ll handle setting up the meet,” Baz adds. “That’s something we can’t delay too long on because Petrov is not known for his patience.”
“We might have to do the exchange and set a different trap for Amos,” Jase says.
“Let’s not go over old ground,” Knight says. “We need to leave, or we’ll miss our flight.”
“You need to hold tight, Manning. Think you can do that?” Ares says.
“Yes,” I say through clenched teeth.
Ares barks out a laugh. “I’ve seen kids lie more effectively.”
“Fuck you.”
“I’m strictly a pussy worshipper, so you’re flat out of luck, dude.”
Athena rolls her eyes before turning to me. “I know you have no reason to trust me, but I’m asking you to give me the benefit of the doubt. Promise you won’t go kamikaze, and I’ll work to prove my father’s involved.”
“You seem sure about his guilt. Why is that?” Jase asks.
“I didn’t think he’d be involved in sex trafficking, but it seems too obvious to not be the truth. There is little love lost between him and me, and I’m sick of his manipulations. He’s starting on Arlo now, and I swore months ago that I’d do everything in my power to protect my brother—even killing my father if that’s what was needed.”
“Cold, but I love it,” Xavier says.
“It’s one thing to say it and quite another to do it,” Knight says. “He’s still your father.”
“He’s a piece of shit. And if he sold Jane and Vera to sex traffickers and Silas to Cleo or even stood by and did nothing knowing it was going to happen, then he’s already dead in my eyes, and I won’t lose sleep over his death.” Her eyes lock on mine. “I meant it when I said I’ll help you. But Knight is right. We need to bide our time, gather our evidence, and form a rock-solid plan. My father isn’t to be underestimated. If you try to go off by yourself, you could end up hurt or worse.”
“You’ve waited this long, D. You can wait another few weeks.”
“Okay.” I eyeball the four assholes. “I promise I won’t make any solo plans or moves. We’ll decide the best course of action together.”
“Huss speaks highly of you,” Baz says. “Don’t make a mockery of the man.”
“What’s Robert Huss got to do with this?” Anderson asks.
The four men trade knowing looks.
“You might as well tell them,” Athena says. “They’ll only go straight to the horse’s mouth, and you’ll put him in an awkward position.”
“Huss is our man in the elite,” Baz confirms.
“Are you saying he’s your spy?” Hunt asks, and Knight shakes his head.
“He’s our employee,” Jase supplies.
“What exactly does that mean?” Charlie asks.
“It means we control the elite.” Ares inspects his nails like he’s bored. “Like we control every other sub-organization in the world.” That smug grin is back, and my jaw pulls tight as I glare at the arrogant fucker. “You didn’t really think you were in control, did you?”
“So, you guys have been pulling the strings all along?” Abby’s voice elevates, and she’s about to go nuclear on their asses.
“Not all along,” Knight says, looking mildly apologetic. “Think of it like a pyramid scheme. We’re at the very top, then we have the elite and other organizations like them, and underneath them are governments and official entities. We’re committed to ensuring every organization in the pyramid is held accountable to a similar set of rules and laws.”
A bitter laugh tumbles from my sister’s lips. “Well, that’s a fucking joke. Where the hell was the governance when my father was running around killing anyone that crossed him, blackmailing important people for shits and giggles, and hurting innocent women and children just ’cause he could?”
