“You don’t go radio silent when there are assassins trying to kill your ass.”
She clutched the front of my shirt, pulling me closer.
“Got me?”
Although her lip turned up in a snarl, I’d say this was going better than expected. I nodded, not saying a word.
“I’d murder somebody if they hurt you.”
Wait. The person I worried about most confessed to a pending murderous rage? Her words were enough to make me rethink what IthoughtI saw after stopping Nails. To reinforce the sentiment, she glared. No matter how much my self-doubt tried to rewrite them into something cynical, they held their own rage. I held out my arms, thinking it was the perfect moment for a hug.
Instead, Janet punched me in the shoulder. “What do we owe this reunion?”
“He’s found the person behind Synergy’s security breach.” Connor stood in the doorway, arms folded. It wouldn’t surprise me if he had been tracking me this entire time. Heck, knowing him and Orion, I threw the idea of privacy out the window. “Am I wrong?”
“He’s right,” I admitted. “She’s been playing us this whole time.”
“It’s Tia,” Janet said. She flexed, hands balling into fists. “We’ll storm the office and?—”
“No,” I said. “Tia’s a good guy.”
“Bite your tongue!”
If they could settle their dispute over trolls, they’d be an unstoppable duo. They’d go from singing duets at karaoke to terrorizing local bikers. Once we finished the city-destroying business, I’d make that my new goal.
“Ms. Keyes. Synergy’s Human Resources director.”
“Didn’t see that coming,” Orion said.
Arthur eyed Janet. “Really?” He pointed at his twin. “Human Resources director didn’t hit anybody’s radar?”
Wyatt shrugged. Janet turned and snarled at her brother. Once the identity sank in, all eyes drifted back to me. We were at a crossroads. I could glaze over the truth and pray that they didn’t ask questions, or I could?—
“I’m Hellion.”
“No shit,” Janet said.
“What she said,” Connor added.
“I had no idea,” Wyatt gasped.
Orion rolled his eyes until they turned white. With a flick of his wrist, his watch projected one of his conspiracy boards. For a second, I spotted Wyatt at the center of the board with the words “Earth Destroyer” at the top.
“Whoops. Wrong board.”
“Friend Orion, we’re going to talk.” Wyatt’s hand gripped Orion’s shoulder.
With another flick of the wrist, this board had my photo on it. To one side was a handful of pictures of assassins I had sent to prison. He had the trident symbol circled and a question mark. My photo faded, replaced by Hellion, above a blinking 93% match.
With another flick, the screen vanished. “It wasn’t hard to figure out after that woman attacked.”
Just like that, Orion laid my secret out for the entire room. I wanted to look down and avoid their eyes. My hands went to my lap, fingers already fidgeting. Not even Hellion’s brazen confidence could overcome the fear of what this meant. Taking charge and throwing villains through walls wasn’t as scary as their judgment.
“Sorry.”
“For?” Arthur asked.
“Not telling you sooner.” I stole a quick glance at the boss. “For not being honest.”
