Page 9 of Fighting Salvation

“Well, tough shit, because I’m not leaving my sister’s life in the hands of a man who can’t even say her name without clenching his fists.”

Bás was known for his cool, for his cold ability to get things done and keep everything hidden. Yet, as of late, everyone was seeing through the walls he’d built and fortified since losing his family.

Headlights lit up the dawn, saving him from a response. Exiting the vehicle he moved to the front of the Range Rover and waited as Rafe moved to stand beside him. Nobody knew about this connection. He was taking a big risk revealing it now, but what choice did he have?

The black vehicle stopped in front of him and he fought not to lift his hands to shield his eyes before the lights dimmed and the back door opened.

Bás turned to Rafe. “What you see here tonight is never to be repeated, even to Jack. Do you understand me?” The gravity of trust he was placing in this man was insane. But he was making a call and praying like fuck it didn’t backfire.

“Understood.”

Bás nodded, satisfied that Rafe could be trusted. Prince Mortimer stepped from the shadows of the car, dressed in black fatigues and a black jacket zipped to the chin.

“Niall, it’s good to see you, even at five in the morning.”

Bás could feel Rafe’s eyes boring into him at his side but ignored him as he stepped forward and shook Prince Mortimer’s hand. “Thank you for meeting me, sir.”

“I have to say I was surprised to get your call.”

“I know and I wouldn’t have made contact if it wasn’t important.”

The Prince Consort waited for him to continue.

“Hansen has taken a member of my team.” Bás motioned to Rafe. “Valentina is Rafe’s sister.”

Mortimer nodded to acknowledge Rafe. “I’m very sorry to hear that. Valentina is the dog expert. As are you, is that right?”

Bás knew for a fact that Mortimer knew exactly who Val and Rafe were. Lydia might be Queen, and have her own hit squad in Eidolon, but Bás had been working for Mortimer for far longer than that. “Yes, sir, that’s correct.”

“Hmmm, and you say Hansen has her?” Mortimer curled his lip with distaste.

Bás tipped his head, stretching his stiff neck before nodding. “Yes, he called me to gloat about it.”

Mortimer shook his head. “Nasty business. What do you need from me, Niall?”

“The files, sir. I need to see the files you have. I know you never wanted to give them to me, but I need to go back to the beginning if I have any hope of catching him. He’s always one step ahead of us.”

Mortimer furrowed his brow and Bás knew he didn’t want to hand over the files containing the images from his family’s massacre. He didn’t particularly want to be reminded of such a dark time but he had no choice.

“Fine. I will do this on one condition.”

“Anything.”

“You will bring this Valentina girl to visit next time you come to see me.”

Bás didn’t know whether to laugh or punch something at this point. Everyone was so determined to make him and Val a thing, when he knew as much as he wanted her he couldn’t allow that to happen. Not without putting her in more danger and being a selfish prick. But he couldn’t say no to Mortimer. “Of course. Did you bring the files like I asked?”

His friend and mentor turned and nodded once. His driver slid from the vehicle and handed him a brown envelope. Bás felt his chest tighten at the thought of what might be inside and the destruction it would cause.

Mortimer took the envelope and handed it over but didn’t let go as Bás reached for it.

“I never wanted you to see these. Living it was enough and I know what it did to you. Don’t lose yourself in the pointless and misplaced guilt you feel. You’ve built something here, Niall. Once you have your girl back, it’s time to say goodbye to this part of your life.”

Bás swallowed the razor blades that scratched at his throat. The guilt he carried over his family would always be there and Mortimer was wrong, it was his to carry because he should have stopped it from happening.

He didn’t say any of that though. “She isn’t my girl, sir.”

Mortimer let go of the envelope and it felt like it contained the weight of the world in it.