Ignoring her and the human guards, who have all paled at how quickly I subdued the bear and jaguar, I turn to the wolf. “Which floor is Oliver on?”
He remains at a distance as he tips his chin at me before replying. “Top floor. I’ll take you there.”
I don’t wait for him to move, heading toward the human guards at a brisk pace, speaking as I near them. “Like I said, feel free to escort me at gunpoint.”
They’re smart enough not to engage me, instead backing into position so they can surround me.
One of them leans toward the wolf. “What the fuck, Seb? You’re just letting him go on up?”
The wolf glares the man down. “You know how fucking angry Oliver gets if we deprive him of the joy of bloodshed. You want to be the one to tell him that we denied him the chance to witness his stepson’s death?”
The guard rapidly shakes his head.
“One of you with me. The other two stay here,” the wolf named Seb says, at which the three human men quickly organize themselves, one of them breaking off to select the up button on the elevator controls.
To the other two human guards, Seb says, “Lock the building down and make sure nobody else comes in. While you’re at it, make sure Pru is okay.”
When the elevator doors open, I follow the human man inside. He positions himself at my back with his gun aimed firmly at me. Seb steps in after me, but he keeps to my left, his back to the elevator wall and me in his sight.
The doors close, and the elevator rises in a tense silence.
I break it, asking, “Pru is the receptionist?”
Seb gives me a short nod. “Prudence. Normally, she has nerves of steel, but she’s heard all sorts of horrifying stories about you.”
I exhale slowly, counting my breaths. I don’t hide from the truth anymore. Accountability is the foundation of honor. “Some of those stories might be true.”
Seb’s eyebrows rise, his doubtful expression surprising me.
He tips his head, purses his lips, and studies me for a brief moment before he says, “No. I don’t think so.”
I side-eye him while remaining aware of the guard at my back. “What makes you think so?”
“Well, for one, your stepsister clearly loves you.” Seb suddenly grins. “And two, the lack of blood splatter back there.”
The way his tone changes when he speaks of my sister tells me he respects her.
It’s his second statement that makes me tense for a moment.
I breathe through it. “I’ve seen enough blood to last me a thousand lifetimes.”
Soon, I’ll see more.
Within moments, I’ll come face to face with my stepfather, the demon who sent me to Bloodwing to face years of torment. All so he could seize control of my company and use it to hurt others.
Restraint will no longer be on the table.
8. STRIKER DRAVEN
The elevator doors open directly into the foyer of what I remember to be the boardroom level.
My stepsister, Zara, is waiting there to greet me, her expression a picture of anxiety.
I step out ahead of Seb and the human guard, pausing for a moment to plant my hand against the elevator door, a deliberate move on my part to tell the system to stay open a moment longer than strictly necessary.
I went a little off-script in the reception area, but my movements from this point on will be carefully controlled and by design.
My main priority now is ensuring my stepsister remains safe.
