“I'm sorry, Shay, but I have to do this. I will be back before them, so it's up to you if you want to warn them or not.”
He groans on the floor. Yeah, I’m a dick. He’s only just recovered since being out of the hospital, but I actually don't give a fuck anymore. I’m in this alone and I’ll do whatever it takes to end my stepbrother. He tries and fails to grab my leg as I pass him by. Getting onto his knees, holding his jaw in his hand, he looks broken and conflicted, but I’m done.
“Aaron, please don't,” he pleads. Fuck him.
“See ya later, Shay.” And I leave without looking back. I don't want to see Shay get hurt, but I have to start putting myself first, just as he has.
The car arrives on time, and the driver looks a little bewildered as to why I want to be dropped off on a mostly abandoned road. Especially when I’m dressed like I’m about to either murder someone or commit a robbery, but I can't worry about that right now.
I know this factory area well. We’ve done a few dealings here before when it’s impossible to do them in town, so I make my way through the sparse forest, keeping to the complete darkness of a clear sky. I regret not wearing a coat over my hoodie and there’s a chance I may freeze to death, but it could be a good thing. The bite of cold will keep me alert and help me focus.
Making my way through the trees and woodland terrain, I approach the edge of where the old factory lies. It's a huge building, almost completely covered in windows. It's certainly old and I notice that there are two large SUVs, plus my stepbrother's truck, and a light that’s coming from the building where the main overhang doors are wide open. There are some old shipping containers scattered around the yard, which probably is the best cover for me to get as close as possible and at least take some pictures.
I crouch low and scuffle quickly in between the containers. I can't get too close, but all I need is a clear view. I moan when I crouch down, fucking achy ribs, but the adrenaline starts to kick in, making each waddled step easier. At the opening there are two armed guards, which I find interesting. They don't look local and with the guns they have, I would say whoever Jake is meeting with is a bigger deal than I first thought.
Managing to sneak behind a container that is directly in front of the open doors, I can see Tommy and Jake, shaking hands with two other men I don't recognize. I can't hear what they’re saying, but they’re having an intense conversation from the way they’re all standing. Backs straight, shoulders rigid, all of them trying to give off vibes that my dick is bigger than yours. Tommy looks on edge though, his eyes shifting constantly between Jake and whoever the guys are he is talking to.
I get out the burner phone Jules gave me, zoom in on the men, and start to record, making sure to get as much of a visual on these strangers as possible, including the two guards.
Paying more attention to the phone than what is going on in front of me, I see one of the guards start to stroll towards where I’m standing. Shit. I startle, resting my back against the container wall and try to steady my breathing, which is harder than it sounds. Especially when your heart pounds like it will burst through your chest.
What the fuck do I do if he comes around here? I don't have any weapons, I want to beat my own ass for not bringing at least my switchblade. A couple of minutes pass and I don't hear any footsteps. I take the plunge and peer my head around the corner of the container, where I notice the guard has walked back and is chatting with the other guy. Jake is now shaking hands again with this stranger, appearing to be coming to the end of the meeting, so I quickly take a picture of them, not remembering my phone has the flash on.
Shit!
“Did you see that?” one of the guards says, and I make a run for it, still crouching, over to the other containers on the edge of the woodland. Luckily the only light visible is within the factory, so I think I can go unnoticed if I’m quick. Pain ignored, I run as fast as I can until I’m shrouded in the darkness under the trees. I stop and look back and see they are just milling around. Hopefully they think they imagined something. Goddamn it. How do I get out of here? I can hardly call another Uber. I really need to plan more before making stupid decisions. I don’t even register what I am doing until I am calling Lev.
“What do you want, doe?” he answers, and I can hear music in the background.
“Help me, I'm stuck here and I don't want them to find me,” I whisper yell, hoping he can hear me.
There is a beat of silence, and the music in the background becomes distant. He must be walking to somewhere more quiet.
“Are you high? What do you mean stuck?”
“I followed Jake tonight and got you more info, but I can't get home. I’m in the middle of fucking nowhere. But I have proof now.”
I swear to god the rumble that comes through the phone is like a lion’s purr. “You followed him on your own? You are insane, doe. Pin me your location and Jules or Simon will pick you up. Stay covered for now, okay? They will message you when nearby. Keep your phone on silent.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
He grunts back like the caveman he is and ends the call. I really hope they take me back to see Lev so I can show him what I have. I'm craving his attention already. If I wasn’t at risk of drawing attention, I would be jumping up and down.
Chapter 11 - Lev
WhatthefuckwasAaron thinking following his stepbrother tonight?
Well, it is obvious the guy doesn't seem to think at all from what I have witnessed. But I can't think about that too much. A rush of excitement pounds through my system–Aaron might have information, and I’ll get to have my fun, finally. I’ll find out all their secrets and get my dose of blood before I completely lose it and end up hurting someone else for no reason.
I call Dima and let him know what's happening. He is making his way back to the house to be here for Aaron’s arrival. I pace my brother's office, itching to get started on this. If I get what I want, I may even entertain the idea of fucking doe as a job well done. I might actually get some sleep tonight for the first time in over a month.
I'm not sure how much time passes, but finally, Dima walks into the office and pats me on the shoulder.
“Finally got something to go on then, brother?” he asks as he sits in his ridiculously over the top office chair. Such a snob.
“I hope so. I only know the stupid idiot followed Jake to a meeting on his own, got some footage then realized he couldn’t get home.” I roll my eyes at the foolishness of the situation. Not that I would ever say it out loud, but I respect Aaron for it. He went in without fear. Reckless, but fucking hot.
We remain in silence, awaiting the return of Jules with Aaron. I can't sit still, so I return to pacing the length of Dima’s office, while he is on his phone, no doubt texting Seb like they are ever apart for more than ten minutes. Just as I am about to goad Dima about Seb, the door flies open. Aaron walks in, flanked by Simon and Jules. I notice straight away the light bruises on his face, which look like they are at the end of healing. What the fuck happened? An anger stirs in me that’s foreign in its intensity. It's protective in nature and I immediately rebel against it. I only look out for my brother and that's as far as I go.
