Page 5 of Abundance of Obsession

“You think it’s a trap.” Theo’s face hardens when he says this.

“I’m aware it’s a trap,” Ryker states. “But what choice do I have now? The bastard waving the reward in my face has changed, but the reward is still the same.”

Aisling.

The fact is, I can’t do anything to free my brother from this fucking trap, and it weighs on me.

If only I could do something…

A thought hits me out of the blue. “Matthews wants to lead the united cartels; the position of vice president opens doors and national borders for him. Putting his plans for you aside, he’ll try to agree with Veirix.”

“Or he’s already done it,” Theo concludes. “He must have someone on the inside who’ll help him seize power. But there are also rumors that Veirix is specially pressuring weapons, not drugs. Like they’re preparing for some kind of war. There’s also word of some valuable woman being held, but that info is unclear.”

From what I know… “But… Veirix has never held random prisoners. If that’s the case, it must be someone important.”

“How can we check that?” Ryker asks, narrowing his eyes.

Silence falls, but I know the answer. The last person who took that risk survived for six months before someone murdered him. We received his body in several boxes, and in retaliation, they burned our cargo ship with a load worth millions.

“We need to plant a mole there,” I finally say out loud.

My brothers stare at me, and I know they see the same image in their minds: Mick. Butchered like a pig.

“Eli…” The Pact’s leader makes his first decision. “Find someone suited for the job. Theo, find a way to move that person underground without attracting suspicion.”

We both nod.

Now that I’m full, my headache is abating, and I know what to do, I stand up. It’s time for me to go.

My best friend stops me, though. “Wait, Eli. Before we move on, I have a favor to ask you.”

Ryker’s words catch my ear, and I agree on the spot. “Whatever you need.”

He glances into the apartment, then straight at me. “It’s a touchy issue. Something’s been going on with Zoe ever since Ash moved out. Find out what’s happening and watch her for me. Can you?”

“Zoe?” The name makes me stop. Something in me tenses up.

Too much.

And I have no clue as to the reason why.

“Why me?” A grimace crosses my face.

Ry shrugs. “She let you in once, when they found out about Charles’s death. That’s more than anyone else has done.”

Chapter 2

Zoe

Living alone has its charms. For real. Maybe I can’t recall them all right now, but they’re there. Without a doubt.

All right. Let’s think…

Peace is a plus. No one uses up all the hot water. At five in the morning, the coffee machine goes unused. There’s no bloodstain from a night out. No one…

Fuck!

Who am I kidding? I hate living alone right now!