I cried until there was nothing left in my system. As I began to doze off, the light turned on, and the door to the room was shoved open.
I jerked awake and blinked my eyes several times to get used to the light. Kade walked in first with his laptop cradled under his arm. Behind him, Machine rolled a metal cart in front of him.
Kade placed his computer on the seat across from me and walked over to the cart to grab a water bottle.
Unscrewing the cap, he walked over to me. “Open your mouth.”
Feeling too weak to fight, I listened, knowing I needed the water. The water felt good as it soothed my raw throat.
After allowing me several gulps, he placed the bottle back on the cart. “So, Ms. Myers, we are going to try this again. Why don’t you start by telling me about who you work for.”
I met his eyes. Eyes that once held love and compassion toward me. Was he feeling this heartbreak, like I was?
“I work for a special operations team.” I kept my focus on the floor.
Kade squatted in front of me. “I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Domino’s is your headquarters, isn’t it?”
I nodded. In the corner, I heard Machine curse.
“What was your assignment?”
I glanced up at him, trying with all my might not to break down. “I was to infiltrate information regarding Ricci through your systems.”
He nodded his head. “I see. And why would a team be focused on taking him down?”
“Ricci has destroyed the lives of so many. I’m sure a smart man like yourself can understand why a man like that needs to be taken care of.” My tone was sarcastic.
When I didn’t explain any further, Kade out a sigh.
“And what is your real identity?” he bit out.
“I am Evelyn Myers, which you heard from Ricci. But my team calls me Phantom.”
Kade’s eyebrows shot to his hairline, a soft curse falling from his lips in recognition of my identity. His longtime nemesis was sitting in front of him and had been in front of him all along. He scrubbed a hand down his face and began to pace, cursing in Italian.
“Kade, I swear not all of this—” I started before he cut me off.
“Save it,Phantom,”he sneered, emphasizing my code name. “So you’ve known since Vegas who I was to you and you didn’t think to mention it?”
Tears began to fall down my cheeks at his anger. I wanted him to understand that things had changed during my assignment. Wanted him to know that it wasn’t all a lie.But I could tell I wouldn’t get anywhere with him. He was too consumed with his rage.
“Yes, but?—”
He cut me off once more. “But, nothing! You knew and lied to me! Fuck, and we...” Kade stopped his thoughts. I could tell he was torn between his anger and his feelings for me.
“Kade, I swear I didn’t mean for things to get so out of hand. We were never supposed to become?—”
“Don’t even go there,Per l'amor del cielo! Questo non può succedere!” he cursed. I wasn’t sure what he said but I could tell it wasn’t anything pleasant.
“Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you?” He stopped in his tracks, holding my gaze.
“I’m already dead. You can’t kill what’s already gone.” My voice sounded flat now, and I meant every word. I was numb now, accepting whatever fate was coming my way. There was no reasoning with him and it was clear he didn’t want to even accept that I was more to him than his nemesis.
Kade walked over to the cart and began picking up different tools and placing them back down. “You know, I think we are going to play some more.” He picked up a paring knife. The overhead lights reflected on the flawless metal.
“I didn’t take you for someone who likes to play with their food,” I muttered.
He looked over at me with a cruel smile on his face as he twirled the knife in his hand. “Oh, baby, I’m not. But I do know someone who is.”
