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Abandoned Oaths VELEZ MAFIA SHIFTERS LEXIE SCOTT Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,organizations,places,events,andincidentsareeitherproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.
Copyright©2024LexieScott
Allrightsreserved
ISBN-13:979-8880409600
Nopartofthisbookmaybereproduced,orstoredinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,or otherwise,withoutexpresswrittenpermissionoftheauthor
CoverArtbyGiusyD'Annawwwpremadebookcoversmarketcom
Alsoby Lexie Scott VelezMafiaShifters Duet AbandonedOaths SovereignOaths
SterlingBayShifters
HerPackRevealed
HerPackFractured
HerPackRestored
HerPackUnleashed
DrexelAcademy
SummonedbyMagic
BoundbyMagic
SeizedbyMagic
EclipsedbyMagic
SeveredbyMagic
ConqueredbyMagic
Sorcerer’s Society SecretsinHerEyes
ReadBetweentheLies
AnythingbuttheTruth ShadowofaDoubt LoyaltoaFault
NothingLefttoHide LeapwithNoRegrets FearistheKey
BetrayedbyYourLove
Emilia MY TOLERANCE FOR BULLSHIT, whichwaslowonmybestday,wasdwindlingfast.Icouldonlykeep myplastered-onsmileinplaceforsolong,andIwasquicklyapproachingmylimit.
Whatwashisproblem?
Ileanedover thecloth-coveredcocktail tablefar enoughtogivehimaclear view ofmycleavage,andhehadn’tlooked once Itwasborderlineinsulting Iwasn’twearingtwolayersofspandexandacorsettobeignored
Otherattendeeshaddirectedenoughno-so-discreteglancesandoutrightoglingmywaytoconfirmIlookeddamnedgood. Thispudgy,sweatymanwiththebushiestgrayeyebrowsI’deverseenwasmoreinterestedintakinginthevaguelyauthentic Mexican-themed decorations thanme. So, Mr. Olvera was either a true gentleman, a literal fantasymanwho could keep his eyeswheretheybelonged,orIwasn’thistype.
Neitherofthoseoptionsseemedplausible
FromwhatIreadinhisfile,Iwasthewalking,talking,breathingembodimentofhisdreamwoman.
Sowhythehellwashenotinterested?
I checked the guest list for the museum exhibit gala as recently as an hour before arriving. None of his normal acquaintanceswerecoming Hedidn’thavetoworryaboutanyoneheknewseeinghimwithastrangewoman Was he nervous? Intimidated? I ran into that from time to time and had to dial back the sex goddess and turn up the innocence.
“Areyouthirsty?”Iinterruptedhisspeechaboutthebenefitsofsourcingfarmingequipmentinternationallyanddraggeda fingerdownhistuxsleevewithpracticedwidenedeyesandflutteringlashes.ItwasalookIusedwhenIwantedmentotrust me Toseemeasweakornaïve
“Ohyes,” he paused his storylongenoughto lookaround. Awaiter noticed and hurried over witha trayofchampagne flutes
Mr.Olveraacceptedtwoandhandedmeonewithouttouchingmyskin.Ismiledmythanksandtriedtocomeupwithanew topic,buthepickedrightbackupwithhisstory.
“Theviewsarequiteunremarkable,soI’llnevermovetothereevenifGuadalajaraisclose,buttheprofitsareworthit” Heslippedrightbackintodroningonandonabouttheagavefarmherecentlyinherited.Hiseyesstayedforward,landing onmineforasplitsecondeveryminuteorso justenoughtoforcemetolockinalookofgenuineattention ThelastthingI neededthisfarintotheoperationwasforhimtothinkIlostinterestandabandonourconversation.
Ifhewasn’tmytarget,I’dhavekilledhimanyway,outofsheerboredom.
Ididn’tgettopickmymissions,butmaybeIcouldputinarequestforsomethingmoreexcitingnexttime.Achallengetoget myheartpumping.
The guys onmyteamwould kill for the missions Igotassigned, buttheywere lazy Theyliked themquickand clean I wantedtohavetotry.Unfortunately,theguysweren’tsexy,youngwomenthatmenlovedtounderestimate.
Theywerebulky,trigger-happywolveswithabsolutelyzerofinesseorabilitytoimprovise Sotheygotthesnipermissions.Orthebeatdowns.Thewarningvisits. Itwasn’tfair.JustbecauseIwasunluckyenoughtohavebreastsandnopenis.
NoteventhebestofthemcoulddowhatIdid.Iknewit.Theyknewit.Ourbossknewit. IfonlyrichstraightmenwhosooftenranafoulofthePackwouldstopmakingbaddecisions,thenIcouldgetmoreexciting cases
Inearlychuckledtomyself.Thatwasaslikelytohappenaspackleadersgivingwomenequalrights. All right
Back to work.
Itwastimetospeedthingsup.Iwassickoftheseheels,andmybedwascallingmyname.IfIgotthisdonequickly,I’d couldcatchthelasthalfofthenew realitydatingshow Idiscovered Humanmenandwomenweresosimple,yettheydidn’t understandeachotheratall.Iftheyonlyknewhoweasytheyhadit.
Nobondsorbloodlinesoralphastoworryabout Oh, there!
Awaiterpassed,andIflaggedhimdown,takingtwomorechampagneflutesandsettingoneinfrontofMr Olvera Hewas so busynot lookingat me I didn’t evenbother beingslyabout usingmynail to flickopena tinycompartment onmygold braceletanddropinthepowder.
Hepickeditupandtookasipwithoutmissingabeatinhisdetailedmonologue
IfIcared––ifitwouldmakeadifference––Iwouldhavepointedouthowunsustainableagavefarmingwas,butdeadmen couldn’tmakechanges Nopointinwastingmybreath
“Withthetequilademandgrowing,we’veneverbeenbusier.We’vehadtohireenoughmenforawholenewshift.” Speakingoftequila Ifrowneddownatmydrink Thechampagnewasn’tasstrongasIwascraving,andIwasfartoo sobertolistentothis.
Hehadaboutthreeminutesbeforehewouldstartslurringhisspeech.Fourminutesuntilhebeganstumbling.Fiveuntilhe wasdead
“It’shardtohearyou.”Ibattedmylashes,andhefinallyturnedhisattentiontome.“Doyouwanttoheaduptotheroof?It willbequieterthere”
Hegrinned.Actuallysmiled,likehedidn’tseewhataflimsyplanthiswas,andofferedhisarm.“I’msogladtohavefound someonewhounderstandstheimportanceofmywork.We’rethesecondlargestproducerinMexico,youknow.”
Idid.Hetoldmethreetimesalready.“Wow,impressive.”
Hissuccesshadmadehimmytargetinthefirstplace.Hepissedoffthewrongguywhenheinheritedthefarmandbought thesurroundingonestoexpand
OneofthePack’shigher-upswantedthatland.Iwasn’tsureforwhat.Theydidn’tprovidedetails,andIlearnedyearsago nottoask
AllIknewaboutthisguywasitwashistimetogo.
“Yes,wehaveprojectionstosurpassthefirstwithinthenextfiveyears.”
Blah,blah,blah.
Wetookthestairsuptotheroof,litonlybyafewstrandsofyellowlights.Withthesprinkleofbrightstarsinthenightsky andstrategicallyplacedfireplaces,itwasquiteromantic
Butmoreimportantly,itwasempty.
Perfect
Hefollowedmeawayfromthedoortothewallthatranthelengthoftheroof.Thewornbrickpiledtoaboutchestheight, soIcouldtakeintheviewsofdowntownSanAntoniowhilehedronedon.Itwasniceout.Theearlysummerheatandhumidity dissipatedenoughthatitwasactuallycomfortableoutside
Whata waste ofa nice night.NotthatIever hadbetter plans.Friends weren’tveryhighonmyprioritylist.Datingwas evenfurtherdown
Missionsconsumedallmytime.
Speakingof,thisonewastakingfartoolong
“They’reabeautifulplant,butonlybloomonceintheirlife.Itcantakebetweententotwentyyears.Canyoubelievethat? Theywait all that time and die after.” He shookhis head witha sigh. “We want to find a wayto improve that. There’s a scientistin––”
Heshouldbeslurringhisspeech.Heshouldbeslumpingover bynow,notcontinuingtheworld’smostboringrantabout variousfarmingmethods
Wasthepowdertoodiluted?
Expired?Iwasn’tawareofithavinganexpirationdate Thewitchwhosuppliedmenevermentionedone,butitwasfrom abatchIboughtlastyear.Itrustedhernottomakemeadud.HerfamilyhasbeencontractedwiththeVelezforgenerationsand shewouldneverdoanythingtoriskthatrelationship.
No,itworkedflawlesslyjustlastweek
Maybe Imessed up the calculations. He was taller thanIestimated. Did he need anextra dose? It wasn’t like Ihad to worryaboutgivinghimtoomuch
MyfavoritethingabouttheuniquepowderthewitchandIhadconcoctedwasitscompleteinabilitytobetraced.Thanksto heraddedintentionwhenmakingit,noone,notevensupernaturals,couldfindproofofanythinginhissystem.Justthealcohol hesippedonallnight.
Hisdeathwouldlooklikenaturalcauses.Italwaysdid.Maybeacloggedartery,abloodclotthatfounditsfatalhome,or
simplyaheartattack.
Whateverpeoplewantedtotell themselvestofindclosurewasnoneofmybusiness.Iwasneveraroundlongenoughfor thebodiestobefound,letaloneexamined
Buttherewerenoserversuphere.Icouldn’tgrabhimafreshdrinkanddropinanotherdose.
Ialsohadnomoreonme Thewallaroundtheroofwasaboutfourfeettallandtoohightoclaimheleanedoverandfellon hisown.Maybepeoplewouldthinkitwasonpurpose.Thathejumped.
Ugh, thatwould require more workonmyend I’d have to leave a note for someone to find There had to be aneasier option.
Somethingsimple.
Iwantedtogetthisoverwithanddone
Myhiddenknifewasalwaysthelastresort.Iattachedtheholstertomyupperthigh,andretrievingitwouldgivehimanice show,notthathe’dlivetotellthetale
Butstabbingwasmessyandrequiredmetocallinforaclean-upcrew,notonlyforthebodyandscene,buttomakesure peopledidn’taskquestions Iwasn’tinthemood
“Sothat’swhywedon’tbotherwiththeorganicprocesses.Itcutsintorevenue.” InoddedalongasifIcared.
Hewastoocoherent,notshowinganyeffects Whatthehell?
Myclawscouldwork.Aquickslashacrosshisthroat,buthow wouldhumansexplainawolfontheroofofamuseumin themiddleofthecity?
Thatpartwasn’ttechnicallymyproblem.Icouldtelltheclean-upteamIhadnootherchoice. Hegasped,clutchinghischest.
Finally. Hiseyessnappedtome.“Hel ”
Heonlygotoutthefirstsound,butIknewhewantedhelp Theyalldid
I stepped away. I hated when they reached out for me, and the last thing I wanted was himtearing at my dress as he collapsed
His head jerked. His knees gave out. He hit the ground on his side. I sighed and moved closer to the stairs as the explanationclicked.
Ihadn’taccountedforhimyappingmorethandrinking.
Hisbodytwitched.Iwaited.Fivesecondsbetweenbreaths,theneight,andthentenuntilhislungsdidn’tinflateagain. There Alldone Niceandpretty,howIlikedit
Noone noticedme re-enteringthe mainexhibitandcalmlymakingmywaytothe exit.Islippedintoa crowdofseveral peoplepouringintothestreetandsearchedformydriver
Vicgavemeasmallsmilewhenoureyesmet,andIglidedtowardthewaitingblacktowncar.Heopenedthebackdoor, andIslidontothesmoothleatherseatasheshutitbehindme.
Neitherofusspokeuntilwewereafewblocksaway “Anyissues.”
“No”Ismoothedmydressovermythighsandkickedoffmyheels “Fuck!” “What?”Heglancedoverhisshoulderatme.
“Someonespilledwineonthehem”Iglaredattheoffendingstain Thiswasoneofmyfavoritedresses Theslitmadefor easyaccesstomyknife,andthetopmademyboobslookamazing.“That’sgoingtobeabitchtogetout.”
Emilia THE STEADY RHYTHM ofmyfeethittingthetreadmillfilledthegym,stretchingwalltowallintheunfinished portionofthebasement.Lettingmeclaimthiscement-walledareawasoneofthefewthingsIevergotmyparentstoagreewith meon,andittookyearsofbegging,negotiating,andfinallyofferingtopayforhalfbeforetheyagreedwhenIwasfifteen. It was myfavorite part of the house. Myparents' house. At twenty-six, I lived here, not because Ididn’t want myown space,butbecauseitallowedmetosaveeverysparedollarIcould Notthatitmattered.
Atleast,notanymore
I’dgivenupmydreamofeverescapingthislifeatnineteen.Atthispoint,stayingwasmorehabitthananythingelse. Ihadn’tacceptedbackthenthatthePackwouldneverletmeleave.Iwasfartoovaluable.Adouble-edgedswordIfellon beforeIhadanyideaofthemistakeIwasmaking
Growingup,IknewIwasnothinglikemysistersorgirlsmyage.Iwasn’tlookingforwardtofindingmymateorfallingin love Ididn’twanttopopoutbabyafterbabywhileamanprovidedforme Iwantedmore.
Whatwasthepointofbeingalethalwolfifwewereonlyusedtobreed? Unfortunately,Iwastheonlyonewhofeltthatway.Oradmitteditaloud.
Thedoorbehindmeopened,andinthemirror,Dad’sreflectionsteppedinside.“Canwetalk?”
Inodded,andhecametostandinfrontofme,knowingIwouldn’tcutmytrainingshortforhissake Hewaslarge,evenby shifter standards, with deep brown skin and thick black hair that Mom made sure he kept trimmed. Years of stress and responsibilityetchedlinesinhisface,whichborealooklikehewasn’thereforacasualchat “Lastnightwassuccessful?”
Directandtothepoint,asalways Hedidn’tbothertoaskifIwasokay,physicallyormentally Heneverdid Iwasn’tsure ifitwasbecausehedidn’tcare,orifitjustnevercrossedhismindtocheck. “Yes.”
Hewouldhaveheardbynowifitwasn’t “Anycleanupneeded?”
“No”
Again,wordwouldhavemadeittohim. “Good.”
Ifthiswasallhewantedtoknow,hecouldhavesentmeatext.Hewashereforareason. Itappedthebuttontoincreasetheincline.Icouldwaithimout.
“Miguelwastedourtime”
“Oh?”There itwas.His suddentrip.He hadn’teventoldmewhere he was goingwhenhe left.All he saidwas thathis brothermighthaveabastarddaughter,andheneededtocheckonthings
“Thegirlwashis,butshebarelylearnedtoshift.Aweak,pitifulexcuseforawolf.Shehadherovariesremoved,whichis afavortoourkind.Shewasofnousetous.”
Smartbitch.
I’dtriedtodothatthreetimesbutneversucceeded.Dadshowedupatthecliniceachtimeandstoppedthesurgery.Even whenIflewdowntoenemyterritoryinBelizeunderafakename,hestillfoundme
However,afterthattrip,hefinallyacceptedIwasn’tgoingtostoptrying.HeallowedmetogetacopperIUD.Ihadthree moreyearsofprotectionleftbeforecomingupwithanothersolution
If the Packever found out, Alpha would execute us both. Nothingmattered more to the Velezfamilythancontinuingto produceastrongline.
Thatwasall hewasgoingtotell meabouthistrip?Washejusttryingtorubitinmyface?MycousinavoidedtheVelez family’sreach,andIcouldn’t?
Maybe Maybenot.ThatwouldhaverequiredhimtostopandconsiderhowIwouldfeelaboutthenews. “Beatdinner”
Itwasn’taninvitationorevenarequest.Itwasanexpectation.Sundaymeantfamilydinner.Barringanassignment,noone evermissed.Eventhoughmysiblingsstartedtheirownfamiliesandownedtheirownhouses,Momdidn’tcare. Inodded,andheleftmetofinishtraining Isteppedoffthemachineandmovedtothebenchwithmydumbbells Birthcontrolwasn’tmyonlysilentrebellionagainstthePack’sexpectations. I,too,wasapitifulexcuseforawolf Ialsorefusetoshiftcompletely.
Everyone evenmyfamily believedIwasdefective ThatIdidn’tshiftbecauseIcouldn’t,notbecauseIwouldn’t ThedayIfeltthemagicfillmeaftermyfourteenthbirthday,IknewwhatIhadtodo.I’dalreadywatchedmyoldestsisters, RaquelandCelestina,getmarriedoffwhentheyturnedeighteenandenduppregnantwithinayear. Ididn’twantthatlife,soIcameupwithaplan Beuseless.
Atleast,asabreeder
Becomeinvaluableinsomeotherway. TheonlyoptionwastobecomewhatthePackwantedjustasmuchasmorewolfpups. Killers.
Weapons.
LethalsoldierstoprotectthePackanditsinterests
SoIfoughtwitheveryounceofstrengthtoresisttheshift.Controllingthepower tookayear ofslow torturealoneinmy room,butIlearnedtoallowonlyafewfeaturesthrough Icouldextendandretractmyteethandclaws
Ididn’tneedtohidemyheightenedhearing,smell,andsight,butIdownplayedmystrength.Onlyusingitintrainingandon missionstomakemyselffasterandstrongerthanhumanlypossible.
Atfifteen,forthefirsttimeinmysorrylife,IfoundwhatIalwayscraved. Control.
Blendinginwas a specialtyof mine byfourthgrade. Goingunnoticed at home was nearlyas easyas at school. Beingthe middlechildinabigfamilyhaditsadvantagesaswellascurses
Irarelyevergotnewclothesgrowingup,insteadinheritingmyoldersisters’outdated,too-shorthand-me-downs.Noteven mygrowthspurtinseventhgradethatpushedmepastmysisterschangedmymom’smind IftheyweregoodenoughforRaquel andCelestia,theyweregoodenoughforme.
Finally,atnearlysixteen,Ipickedupjobsandcouldbuymyownclothes
Beingtheforgottenchildatschoolrequiredzeroeffort.IwasanotherVelez,likemostofthestudents,andthenextofJuan’s kidspassingthrough.
Beinginvisible was one of the most important traits of anassassin Evenlast night, as amazingas I looked, I doubted anyonewouldrecallmeifquestioned.
Averageheight,averagecurves,prettywithoutbeingaknockout AllofwhichIcouldplayupordownwiththehelpofthe rightoutfitandmakeup.IcouldbewhateverIneededtobe.Anotherfaceinthecrowd.Orpulleveryone’sattention. ExactlyasIwanted
IfonlyIcouldactuallymakemyselfdisappeararoundmyfamily.
“Theresheis!”Carlo,myeldestbrother,beamedwhenIwalkedintothekitchenandheldhisarmsoutwide.Healways greetedmelikemonthshadpassedsinceourlastunion IsawhimonFridayafternoon.Lessthanforty-eighthoursago.
“Hi” I didn’t bother fighting himoff He was bigger and stronger, and Momdidn’t like weapons being drawn in her kitchen.
“Don’tlooksohappytoseeme.”Cayo,mysecondbrother,winkedatmyglare.Theyweren’ttwins,butyoucouldn’ttell themapartatfirstglance.Theyhadthesameheightandbuild,tallandripped,samelongblackhairpulledbackintodisheveled buns,andwickedglintsintheirdarkeyes.ThemajordifferencewasCayo’stwosleevesoftattoosversusCarlo’sone.Cayo
alsohadahowlingwolfwrappedaroundhisneck.
“Tia!”Beni,Raquel’stoddler,ranover,reachingformewithhischubbyhands. Ibentdownandpickedhimup,gratefultousehimasahumanshieldfrommorehugs Mysiblingswereoddlyaffectionate, especiallyconsideringweweretrainedkillers.Well,theboysandI.
Celestinasteppedoutofthepantrywithherhandsonherbackandagrimaceacrossherface Shewaslikeelevenmonths pregnantwithherfifth,ormaybesixth,baby.Icouldn’tkeeptrackthesedays.
HeronlygreetingwasaheadnodbeforeshemovednexttoMomatthestove “Emilia.”JoeyputhishandonmyshoulderasIturnedwithBenicuddledagainstme. “Hey.”
Myyoungerbrotherwasthemosttolerableofthemall Probablybecause,likeme,heacceptedhisplaceandtriedtostay outoftheway.Ifwewerequietenough,wecouldusuallyslipoutearlywhileMomgotdistractedfussingoverthegirlsand hersoccerteamofgrandkidsandDadandtheotherboyswatchedwhateversportwasonTV “Lastnightokay?”
Inodded “Tooklongerthanexpected,butIdidn’thavetoimprovise”
Hisbrowsfurrowed.“I’llcallJasminetomorrowandseeifshecansendanewbatch,justincase.”
“Deanaskedaboutyouagain,”Raquelsaidinsteadofanormalhello.“Youreallyshouldgivehimachance.”
“Or he reallyshouldlearnwhatnomeans” Imentallyrolledmyeyes Despite knowingme myentire life,neither ofmy sistersacceptedmeasthepersonIwas.
Tothem,itwassimplyamatter oftimeuntil I’dwakeuponedaywithacompletelydifferentpersonalityandoutlookon life.Theironlyhopeformewastobelikethem,awifeandmother.Theonlyaspirationstheyeverhad. Thatlifewasfine.
Forthem.
AndforthevastmajorityofthewomeninourPack.Itwastheonlylifetheywereevertaughttowantorexpect. Iwasthefreak
“Deancouldn’thandleourEmilia.Sheneedssomeonethatcanmatchher.”Carlotossedahandful ofraspberriesintohis mouth
“Youmeancontrolher,”Celestinamutteredjustloudenoughforusalltohear.
Cayo grinned atme. “There’s no controllingher. She needs a manwho will stand ather side, nottryto pushher behind him.”
Raquelscoffed.“Wedon’tstandbehindourhusbands.”
Cayolaughedbutcovereditquickly
“Boys,stop,”Momsnappedwithaspatulainherhandasifitwereaviableweapon.“Thereisnothingwrongwiththepath yoursistershavechosen”
“RaquelandCelestina,ordoesthatalsoincludeEmilia?”Carlochallenged. Momturnedbacktothestove.“Allofmygirls.Aslongasthey’rehappy,I’mhappy.”
Whataloadofbullshit Ifmybrothersweren’there,she’dstillbeharpingatmeaboutgoingoutwithDeanorsomeother weakmale.
Unfortunately,theyknewthat,andCayoshotmeawidesmileandmouthed,“You’rewelcome” Iflippedhimoffbehindmyback.
“Emilia,” Dad called fromthe hall He stopped at the entrance and tookus in “Rod needs to meet withyouintwenty minutes.”
Rod was myboss. Well, he was over Carlo and Cayo too, butwe worked more closelysince myassignments involved more intel thantheirs Typically, theyreceived a locationand a picture, sometimes a name, but that was usuallyirrelevant Theyshowedup,tookcareofwhoeverneededtakingcareof,andleft.
Minerequiredabitmorefinesse
“I’llmakeyouaplate.”MombeganfillingonebeforeIcouldprotest,soIsatBenidowninhishighchairandmovedtomy spotatthetable
“Isn’tittimeforyoutostopplaying?”Raquelwasonarolltonight.Sheusuallybroughtupmylifedecisionsonceortwice eachtimeshesawme,butnormally,shedroppeditoncetheboysbackedme.
“Playing?”IthankedMomwhenshesattheheapingplateoftamalesandriceinfrontofme
“Thislittleact.”Shewavedherfingerinacircleatme.“You’vehadyourfunplayingsecretagentorwhateveryourfantasy is,butit’stimetogetserious”
IclosedmyeyesandremindedmyselfIcouldn’tuseoneofmyfifteenwaystokillapersonwithaspoononmysister.
“It’snotanactoragameorfantasy,”Irepliedinasteadyvoice.IfIraisedit,she’dclaimIwasbeingdramaticoroverly sensitive.“Ihavetalents andskills thatareincrediblyimportantanduseful tothePack.Myjobkeeps us all safe.WhatIdo allowsyoutostayhomeandplayhouse.Itallowsyourkidstogotoschoolwithoutfear.Itkeepsyourhappylittlelifegoing.
You’rewelcome.”
Sheglared.
Momgroaned
Celestinacrossedherarms.“Youthinkyou’resomuchbetterthanus?Youcouldn’tsurviveadayinourlives.”
Itookanotherbiteandsmiled “Exactly Iwouldn’tmakeit,whichiswhyIdecidedtodosomethingelse” Myagreementalwaysstumpedthem.
Theywantedtoargue Theywantedtoberight Andthistime,theywere.
Iwouldn’tlastadayasamomoffive.I’drunbeforenoon. Ishovedtherestofatamaleinmymouthandstood “Thanks,Mom” ShehuffedbutwavedmeoffasIpassedbackmyhalf-fullplate.
“I’llfinishthat”Joeysnatcheditbeforetheotherboyscouldandtookmyseat IwavedasIwalkedoutandrelaxedthesecondthefrontdoorshutbehindme,gladtoheaddownthestreettowardthemain offices Lessthanfiveminuteswithmyfamily,andmystresslevelsweredangerouslyhigh AnewmissionwasjustthedistractionIneeded.Maybeitwouldevenbeslightlychallenging.Agirlcoulddream. Coachwaswaitingformeinthelobbyandledmebacktohisofficewithanod.Oncewesat,hegottothepoint. “Thebodywasdiscoveredanhouraftertheeventended Officialreportsaysaheartattack”Hescannedthepaperinfront ofhim.“Goodjob.”
Thatwasall?Hewouldn’thavecalledmedownherewhenhecouldhaveemailedortexted “Thankyou.”
Finally,hemetmygaze.“Iputyournameinforanupcomingmission.” Inarrowedmyeyes.“And?”
“Andfromwhat’sI’veheard,it'sdifferentfromwhatyou’venormallydone.”
Fantastic Ileanedforward “Differenthow?”
“Ican’tgointospecifics,butIbelieveyou’rethebestchoice.Itmeanstravelandtimeaway.” Thebestwordshecouldsay “I’min.”
Hesmirked.“Ifigured,butIwantedtogiveyouaheads-upincaseyouneededtotakecareofanythingherefirst.” “Nope.”Nothingtoreschedule.Noonetosaybyeto.“I’mreadynow.” “Good.I’llletyouknowmoreassoonasIhear.”
Withthat,Iwasdismissed
“Thanks.”Istoodandpausedathisdoor.
I wanted to aska millionquestions Myheart was beating, not pounding, but showingsigns of life for the first time in weeks.
Along,distantmissionwasexactlywhatIwanted.
NowIhadtohopetheychoseme
Hewouldn’thavegivenmeaheadsupifhedidn’tthinkI’dgettheassignment,though.Right?Thatwouldbecruel. “I’llbewaiting”
Emilia MY HEARTBEAT FILLED MY EARS,butIfocusedonmybreathing. Keepitslowandsteady.
Don’tover-exertmyself.
Staycalmandclear-headed.
Iduckedunderthefistaimedformyrighttempleandthrustmylegout,takingdownmyopponentbeforelaunchingmyself ontopofhim,pinninghishandswithoneofminewhilepullingtheknifefrommythighholsterandholdingitagainsthisthroat.
“Fine,”hegaspedunderme
“Sayit!”Ipushedthebladeharder.Onemoremillimeter,andI’dhavehimbleeding.
“You’rethebest,”hegrumbledbeforeIjumpedtomyfeetandwalkedaway.
Coachwaitedformewithhisarmscrossedattheedgeofthemat “Youhadhim Youdidn’tneedtopullyourknife” No,Ididn’t.
ButIwantedto
Plus, the brothers needed the occasional reminder notto mess withme. Ibeateachofthematleastonce inthe lastsix months Yet,ahandfulofthemalwayswantedarematch Theirtinydicksandmassiveegoscouldn’thandlebeingbestedbya lowlyfemale.
Unfortunately,itwasalessonsomeofthemcouldn’tremember.Theydidn’tlikeawomanintheirspace,letaloneonewho could beatthem Mosthad accepted me and the factIwasn’tgoinganywhere Gettingto this pointtookyears Halfofthem fearedme,andhalfofthemrespectedme.Eitherwasfinewithme.
Onlythenewbiesweredumbenoughtocontinuetochallengeme,asifviewingmeastheweakersexmeanttheystooda chance.Itnevertooklongforthemtoshutup,usuallyonlyoneroundwithmeinthering.
Thosewhorespectedmeenjoyedwatchingmeteachtheyoungerpupswheretheyranked,andthosewhofearedmewere justhappyformywrathtohaveanewtarget.
“Findmesomeoneelse.Ineedtochange,”IcalledtoCoachasIhurriedtothelockerroom.
Themendidn’tbothercoveringthemselves Shiftersweren’tknownfortheirmodesty Iwasfairlycertainafeweventried toflauntthemselvesinfrontofme,likeI’dbeinterestedinanymanwhoseassIcouldkickwithonearmbehindmyback. Ipulledoffmytanktopandleggingsandsteppedintomydress Ihadn’tsentittobecleanedyet,soifIgotanytears,the cleanerscouldfixthematthesametime.NotthatIanticipatedanyonegettingcloseenoughtotry.
WhenIgotbacktoCoach’sside,heeyedmewithasmirk.“Promcomingup?”
“Shutup.”Ielbowedhim.“Thisone’shardertomovein.Thereisn’taneasywaytogettomyknife.”
Onebrowlifted.“Didyouneedit?”
“No”Ilookedaround,glaringdownthecuriousglancesaimedatus “Butthepowdertooklongerthannormaltokickin I ranthroughmyother options and realized I’d have to hike the skirtup to getto myknife. Iwantto practice makingitlook natural,justincase”
Hepointedtoaguyatthespeedbag.“Razor,getoverhere.”
Ugh.Hecouldhavepickedanyone,andhewentwithoneofmyleastfavoritewolves?Razorearnedhisnamebecauseof therazor-sharpclawshepreferredforhiskills.Hewasgross,sleazy,andconstantlyhittingonme.
AtleastIwouldn’tfeeltoobadifIslippedandstabbedhim.Intheheart.
“Yeah,Coach?”Hejoggedover,shirtless,withhiswetchestondisplay Hesmeltliketwo-week-oldgymsocks
“I need youto runthroughsome scenarios withEmilia.” Coachwaved toward the mats and thenlooked at me. “Need anything?Risersorboxes?”
Recreatingtherooftopwouldbegood,butIdidn’twanttodragthisoutforasecondlongerthannecessary.
“No.”IfrownedatRazorandpointedtothecenter.“Juststandoverthere.”
Heobeyedlikeagoodlittlepup
Imovednexttohim,leavingafewfeetofspace,soIdidn’thavetobreatheinhisoffensiveodor.
“Walkmethroughit,”Coachsaidwithfoldedarms
“Wewerealoneontheroof.Thepowderwasn’tworking,andIwasgoingthroughmyoptions.Iusuallypickadresswitha slit,butthatisn’talwayspossible”
Igesturedtothefloor-lengthskirtandthenliftedthehem.
“See?I’dhavetopullituptohere.”Igrabbedahandfuloffabricuptomyhipuntilmyknifewasfinallyvisible.
Afewwhistlessounded,andIshottheroomadeathglare
“Sincewewerealone,Icouldhavedonethis,butitwouldhavetippedhimoff.It'snotexactlynormalforawomantolift herwholedress IfIcouldn’thavegottenhimalone,maybeonlytoaquiethallway,or justacorner oftheroom,itwouldn’t havebeenpossibleatall.”
Coachnodded,hisgotoresponse
“AmIreallynecessary?”Razorgrumbled.
“Notintheleast,”Ireplied,notbotheringtolookathim.
“Yes Now shut up” Coach shook his head, but I caught a tiny smirk He circled us twice before stopping “An ankle holster?Youcouldpretendtoneedtofixyourshoeorhem?”
Iunstrappeditfrommythighandmadeitastightaspossiblearoundmyankle I’dhavetoswitchitforaproperone,but thiswasgoodenoughforpractice.Thedresscoveredit,butwhataboutwhenIwalked?
Istood onthe balls ofmyfeet, replicatingheels, and walked a few yards ineverydirectionbefore turningbackto face them.“Couldyouseeanything?”
Coachrubbedhisneck.“Thefabriccaughtafewtimes.Idoubtanyonewouldthinkitwasanythingotherthanyourshoe.” “Trygoingforit,”Razorsuggested Idroppedtooneknee,andheshookhishead “Atleasttrytolooklikeawoman” Iglaredathim.“Whatisthatsupposedtomean?”
Hewavedhishandatme “That’snothowtheydoit” “Excuseme?You’renowanexpertonfemalemovementsandbehaviors?”
Heglaredrightback.“Idohaveagirlfriendandthreesisters.” Howveryunfortunateforthem. “Theydothis.”
Heloweredhischest,keepinghislegsstraightandhisassintheairashetouchedhiscalf Hewasright.
Damnhim
“Okay.”Imirroredhimandslidthehemoftheskirtenoughtoreachtheknife. “Yeah,thatwon’ttipanyoneoff.”HelookedatCoach,whonodded. Islippeditoutandcarefullystraightened,keepingtheknifeagainsttheinsideofmywrist “Whereisit?”Razorasked.
I stepped toward himand had myfree hand wrapped around the backof his neckwhile myother held the knife to his carotidwithasweetsmile.“Here.”
“Fuck,”hebreathedoutwhilecompletelyfrozen “That’ssexyashell” Ew.Idroppedmyarmsandsteppedback.“Youdidn’tseeitcoming?” “No.”
IsharedalookwithCoach EitherRazorwasanidiot,orIwassmooth Mostlikelyboth.
“Oneproblem”Coachpointedtomyfoot “Youhavetobehyper-vigilantwhenyousit Youdidn’tlikeanklestrapsforthat reasonwhenwestartedtraining.”
“Thatwasyearsago Obviously,Ipreferthethighbecauseit’smorediscreet,butIcan’tlimitmyselfanymore Ineedtobe readyforanything.”
“Thenrunthroughthisuntilit’ssecondnature.”
Razor groaned It wasn’t anuncommonorder fromCoach We all practiced until we developed muscle memory Drills werehowwestayedaliveandinonepiece.
“Youfreeforafewhours?”Iteasedbeforereattachingmyknife “LikeIhaveachoice,”hegrumbled.
Igrinned.Hewasright.WhenCoachaskedyoutodosomething,theonlyanswerwasyes.
It took less than two hours for me to have the motion of bending to adjust my dress or shoes to become smooth and unassumingineveryimaginablesituation.MyfavoritewasusingastepanddistractingRazorwithasexysmile,onlytohave
theknifeathisheartfasterthanasinglebeat.
Idismissedhimandchangedbackintomyleggingsbeforeheadingout,butCoachstoppedme.
“Yougood?”Heeyedmelikehealwaysdidwhenheknewtherewassomethingwrong Itwashissuperpower IfIdidn’t alreadyknow, Iwould have wondered ifhe had anextra abilityto mind read or sense emotions. Butifhe did, he certainly wouldn’tbeallowedtowastehistimeinthegymwhenthePackcouldputhimtobetteruse No,hejustknewmewell.Probablythebestofanyoneinmylife.
“Familydinner”
ItwasallIneededtosayforhimtonodonceandturn,headingbacktohisofficewiththeunspokenexpectationformeto follow.
Oncethedoorshut,hesatonthecornerofhisrusteddeskandwaited Itwasalwayslikethis.Astandoffbetweentwoofthemostclosed-bookindividualsaround.
“Itwas nothing Theusual bullshit”Icavedandsankintotheplasticchair intheoppositecorner ofthesmall room IfI hadn’tspoken,we’dbehereallnight.
Henodded
“Have youheard anythingnew?” I was alreadydesperate for a new assignment, especiallyafter Rod’s tease. I needed somethingtokeepmebusy.Distracted.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and showed me the screen “Got this while you were busy making that kid wet himself.”
AmessagefromtheAlpha’sassistant
Angie:Sendherin
Hehadn’treplied.Therewasnoneedtoaskforclarification.
“Youdon’thaveanyideas?”IaskedasIstood.
“No.”Hewenttothedoorandopenedit,usheringmetothebackdoor.“Ifthere’sanythingIcandotohelple––”
“I know” I shot him a grin, hoping it came across as more confident than I was feeling The Alpha rarely gave out assignmentsexceptforclassifiedmissions.Somethingtoodangerousforoneofhismentohandle.
Could this be what Rod was talking about? But why wasn’t he the one calling me in? He handled the majority of my missions.HemetwiththeAlpha,thendelegatedthetasks.
I’donlyhadahandfulcomedirectlyfromtheAlpha.
Thishadtobegood
AngieledmedownthehalltotheAlpha’sofficewhenIarrived.
ElLoboandRodwerewaitingforme Angieshutthedoorbehindme,givingthethreeofusprivacy
TheAlphawasanintimidatingman,knowngloballybyhisalias.Humansandsupernaturalsbothwhispered“thewolf,”out offearofaccidentallysummoningtheterrifyingbeast Hisdistinct,bouffanthairandtrimmedbeardgavehimasexy,silverfox look.ElLobowassuaveandcharismatic,butalsodeadly.
“Hello,sir,”Igreeted,andhegesturedformetosit.
“Emilia,you’redoingwell?”
“Yes,thankyou.” Despite meetingEl Lobodozens oftimes andsittinginthis exactposition,mynerves still jangledjust underthesurface
He wasn’tjustthe Alpha ofthe VelezPack, anhonor inits ownright, he was the boss ofthe familybusiness. Outsiders likedtocallustheVelezCartel,butthatwasamisnomer Cartelsworkingroups,buttheVelezdidn’tplaywellwithothers Bydefinition,wewereamafia,butthosewerehumantermsthatdidn’tconcernus.
Themostimportantpartwastheworld,supernaturalandhuman,knewbetterthantogetinvolvedinanythingweclaimed.
“Wehaveaproblem,onewethinkyoucantakecareof,”El Lobostarted OnethingIadmiredmostabouthimwashow directhewas.Nopleasantriesorwastingtime.Getinandgetout.
IglancedatRodforonlyasecondtoconfirmthiswasthemissionhehintedatafewdaysago
“Afoolishmanseeshimselfasacompetitor.He’sstayedoffourradaruntilrecently,whenhereachedintoourterritory.He runsinCubaandsouthernFlorida,butsenthismenintotheYucatan.”
Inearlyrolledmyeyes.Whatanidiot.Hecouldhavecarriedonwithwhateverhewasdoingifhehadn’tmadethemistake ofgettinggreedy.
“Youwanthimtakenout?”Iguessed
He unleashed a sinister smile. “Ohno. If youcut off the head of anenemy, three more will rise inits place. I want to dissemblehislittleempiresystematicallyfromwithin” Iflashedmyowngrin,enjoyingthesoundofthat.
“You’llgotoMiamiandfindtheirboss,AlessioDias.Gainhistrust.”Heraisedabrow.“Byanymeansnecessary.” Itookinaslowbreath,understandingtheunspokenmeaning.Theyweren’tsendinginamanbecausethiswasamissionfor
awoman.Thefastestwaytowinoveramanwasthroughhisbed.GetinwiththisDiasperson,makehimfallforme,andtear hisworldapart.
“Iunderstand”
“Good, we wantintel. All ofhis business dealings, imports and exports. How he cleans his money. Who else he works with Destabilizehisentirenetwork,makehismenquestionhim,andwecanslipinandtakeover” Interesting.Thiswasunderhanded,sly.I’dhavetogetcreative,actuallyusemyskills.Itsoundedlikeitwouldtakeweeks, ifnotmonths,tocomplete Itwouldbemylongestmission,andIcouldn’twaittogetstarted
“You’llbeposingasMillieTorres,heiresstobillions.Thiswillgiveyouareasontoruninhiscircles.Iwillgooveryour backstoryonthewayover,”Rodexplained.
“WhendoIleave?”
ElLobogrinned.“Today.”
Rodcrossedhisarms “Bagsarealreadypackedwitheverythingyou’llneed” Well,then.“Okay.Dowehaveafileready,orwillIbebuildingthat?” “Theothershavethatinformationalready”Rodstood “Whatothers?”
“Fourwolveswillbethereasbackup,”heexplained.
“Idon’tneedbackup”Ispokeascalmlyaspossible,notwantingtooffendtheAlpha “They’rethereassecurity.”Heextendedhishandtome.WeweredonespeakinginfrontofElLobo.
Istoodanddippedmyhead “Thankyou,sir Iwon’tletyouorthePackdown” Henodded,andweweredismissed.
Once outside, Istopped and glared atRod. “Do Ineed to remind youofmybodycount? Ido notneed or wantbackup slowingmedown.”
“It’snonnegotiable.Youarefartoovaluabletogoalone.”Hesighed.“Consideritinsuranceonourinvestment.” Lovely “Itiswhatitis,Emilia.Therewillbenochangesmade.”
Withthat,hecrossedthestreettoawaitingtowncarandopenedthedoor “Theplaneiswaiting”
Emilia ROD WAS AN ASSHOLE. NotthatIwasparticularlysurprised.HewasaVelezandhighupenoughtobehand-selectedbytheAlphatomanagethis mission
Hestayedsilentthroughouttheentireflightandcarride,workingonhislaptop.Oncethedriverpulleduptoamarina,he finallyspoketome
“Ready?”Heheldopenthecardoorandlookedatmewithaboredexpression.
AtleastIdidn’thavetoswatawayhishand Hedidn’tbotheroffering
“Does itmatter?”IclimbedoutandstraightenedtheshortskirtIchangedintoontheplane.Itwas asoftsatin,or maybe silk,inachampagnecolorthatperfectlycomplimentedmydeeptanskin.
Thematchingtanktopwasn’tas flattering Whoever pickedouttheensembleclearlydidn’tknow meor mysizes Itwas tootightinthebustandclungtomyhips,notinasexyway.Morelike,didyoubothertryingitonbeforebuying?
“Thisway”
Rod held outhis hand, and Istarted downthe stairs to a longwoodendocklined onbothsides withboats rangingfrom smallharborcruiserstoenormousyachts.
“Arewelivingonaboat?”Isthatwhatheiressesdid?
“No, the details were inthe email. We’re takingthatto the island.” He pointed to a white and red speed boattwo slips ahead
Right,theemail hesentthatIhadn’tbotheredopeningyet.Iftherewas anythingIreallyneededtoknow,heshouldhave toldmeinsteadofgivingmethesilenttreatment
IeyedtheboatasIapproachedamanwaitinginawhitepoloandmatchingshorts.Heextendedhishand.“Welcome,Miss Torres.”
Iacceptedhishelpwithoutflinchingathistouchormyname.Lookatme,alreadyaperfectactress.
“Mr.Reyes?”HegreetedRodwithanotherwidesmile.“Howwereyourtravels?”
“Fine”Rodbypassedhimandsteppeddownontothewhiteleatherseat,thendownnexttome “We’llhaveyourluggagefollowusover.”Ourcaptainmovedtotheseatbehindthewheel.Themotorstarted,loudenough torattlemybrain
IglaredatRod.“Isthisreallynecessary?”
Heeitherheardmeorcouldreadmylipsbecausehenodded.
Ishookmyhead “IhavetotakeaboateverytimeIcomeorgo?” Henoddedagain.HeandCoachwouldgetalonggreat.
“Youdon’t see anyproblems arisingbecause of that?” Like no abilityto escape if necessary? No quickgetaways? No accesstostoresorfood?WhatifIhadalate-nightcraving?
“It’sexpected”Hefinallyusedwords Progress Iraisedabrow.
“You’reanheiress,remember?” Iwaited “FisherIslandiswhereyoubelong.”
Okay,soitwasafancyshamncyplacefortheuber-rich,butthatdidn’tmaketheassassininmecomfortableatall Afteraquickride,wedocked.Thecaptaincuttheenginebeforejumpingontotheseattostepoffandtietheboat,sowe
didn’tfloataway.
“Hereweare.”Hishandwasthereagain,andItookitjustlongenoughtonotslipandfallintothewater. “Thankyou”IwaitedforRodtojoinmebeforewalkingofflikeIknewwhereweweregoing “There.”Hepointedovermyshouldertoahighrisejusttotheleft. Istoppedandspun “Anapartment?”
Hesighed.“Yes, Millie.”
Inarrowedmyeyes “Couldn’twehavefoundahouse?”
“No,toomuchspacetocover.Wedon’thaveenoughmen.Condoshavelimitedentrancesandbuilt-insecurity.” “But...”Ilookedbackatthebuilding.“IthoughtIhadaroletoplay.” Helaughed,withactualsoundandastupidsmile “What?”
“Theunitcoststwentygrandamonth It’sinthemostexclusivebuildingontheislandwithprivateroofaccess It’sexactly whata richprincess would move into. Youhave all the privacyyoucould wantwhile also still beingclose to the heartof Miami”
Hedidn’tneedtogointothefullsalespitch.Ididn’thaveasay,anditwasn’tchanging,soIhadtogetoverit.
“Isthatboatformyuseanytime?”
“Maybenotthatonespecifically,butyes,youalwayshaveoneoncall ThenumberisintheemailIsentyou” Yeah,Ishouldgetaroundtoreadingitsometime.
“Let’sgetgoing”
Heurgedmeforwardtotheentranceofmytemporaryhome.Thelobbywaslikesomethingoutofamovie.Gleamingwhite marble floors and pillars and floor-to-ceiling windows made up three of the four walls. The best part was the enormous chandelier.Itwasatleasttwelvefeetwideandcaughtthenaturallight,castingrainbowsaroundtheroom.
Rod didn’tbother pausingto gawk. He moved to the elevators and tapped a card againsta small blackrectangle. “Only thosewithaccesscardscanusethese Ifyoueverhaveanythingdelivered,someonewillhavetomeetthemdownhere” Thatwouldkeepouttheaveragecriminal,butpeoplelikeme?Itwasmorelikeafunlittlegametomakeamissionmore exciting I’dbreakintothesysteminunderaminuteandbeatthedoorofmytargetbeforeanyoneknewI’dgottenin ButIwasn’tme.
Iwasn’tamafiaasset.
Icasuallypulledoutmyphoneandskimmedoverthefirstparagraphofhispreciousemail.
IwasMillieTorres,heirtoanewmoneyfortunemadeofunethicalbusinesses,mostlyoverseasoil.
Aplacelikethis was exactlywhereMilliebelonged Shedidn’tneedtoworryabouthackersor assassins Shewas rich andyoungandlookingforagoodtime.
ThiswasmychancetolivethelifeI’dneverhave Hetappedthecardagainandpressedthebuttonfor“P.”Wemadeittothetopfloorwithouthavingtostopandthedoors openedtoahallwaywithasingleblackdoorattheoppositeend.Iguessthatwasthepenthouseandnotparking.
“Onlyyourkeycardscangettothisfloor There’saseparatestaircaseincaseofemergenciesthatconnectstothemainone, twofloorsdown.”
Moresecurity Acuteillusion
“AndhowdoIknowtherearen'tmoreofthosefloatingaround?Whataboutpreviousresidents?”Ieyedhiscardasheslid itbackintohiswallet
“Buildingstaffchangedtheentiresecuritysystembeforewearrived.Thereareonlysixcards.” “Six?Whysomany?”
Heignoredme,pointingup “Wetookoverthefeedsaswell” Ilooked alongthe ceilingbefore finallyspottinganultra-discrete camera inthe corner facingthe apartmentdoor. “How manyinside?”
“Onlyone,facingtheentrance.” Icockedabrow “Swear?”
Herolledhiseyes.“Iswear.” “IfIfindone––”
“Youwon’t”Hepointedtothedoor “Enoughdelaying” Ihadn’tbeen.
Atleastnotintentionally,butnowthathewasreachingforthehandle,Iwantedtorun Thiswasit.Gotime.ThesecondIsteppedinside,nomoremessingaround.Themissionstarted,andIwasnolongerme. Thesoundproofinginthisfancy-assbuildingwastop-notch,butthesecondthedooropened,shoutingbrokethesilenceof thehall.
Ifroze,butRodpushedforwardandwavedfor me tofollow.The short,white hallwayopenedtoa large kitchenwitha
longislandthatseparateditfromthelivingroom,wheretwomenwerewatchingthegiantflatscreenthattookupmostofthe oppositewallfromtheequallygiantsectionalleathercouch.
Waseverythinginthisapartmentoversized?
“Hey!Turnitdown,”Rodcalled.
Thetwomenturnedinperfectsynchronization,onesmilingandtheotherfrowning “Sorry!”Themorecheerfulonereachedfortheremoteandmutedthefootballgame.
Emptybeerbottles,stainedpaperplates,andcrumplednapkinscoveredthecoffeetableinfrontofthem Iscannedtherest oftheapartment,gettingovertheinitialshockofthesize,andtookintheabsolutemess.
Itwas like a frathouse.Stacks ofpizza boxes clutteredthe counters.To-gocontainers overflowedinthe twotrashcans. Moreemptycansandbottleslitteredtheopenspace
Thiswassupposedtobe my apartment.WhoweretheseNeanderthals,andwhyhadtheytakenovereveryinchwithfilth?
“Cruz?”Rodasked
Thegrumpyonepointedtotheonestillholdingtheremote.Hissandybrownhairwasmuchlighterthanmine,andhisblue eyes matched the ocean view through the windows I was so used to the Velez embodying the definition of tall, dark, and handsomewithdeeptanskinandnearlyblackeyesandhair.Hewassodifferent.WasheevenapartofthePack?
Heofferedatwo-fingerwave.“Hey.”
“AndDerek?”Rodseemedtoguess
“Yeah.”Mr.Sunshinestoodandfaceduswithhisarmscrossed.HeeyedmeasIdidthesametohim.Helookedyoung,or atleastyoungerthanIwas HisfeaturesmatchedwhatIwasusedto,downtothedistrustinhisdarkeyes
“Aretheothertwoaround?”Rodasked,notlettingtheless-than-warmwelcomeirkhim.
“They’reinthegym,”Cruzreplied,notbotheringtostand.
“Whichiswhere?”
Aknocksoundedbehindme.Iturnedtoopenthedoor,butRodsteppedinfrontofmeandreachedout.
“Theluggage,sir,”avoiceIdidn’trecognizeannouncedbeforewhoeverhewaspushedmythreebagsinside Rodcockedhishead.“Howdoyouhaveaccesstothisfloor?”
“I’monbuildingsecurity,sir,amanager I’moneoftwowithfullaccesscards” ItriedtomovearoundRodtocatchaglimpse,butheseemedtosensethatandshiftedtoblockmefromview.
“Thankyou.” He shutthe door andlockeditbefore breezingpastme tothe livingroom.“We needtogetthatchanged.I don’twantanyonebutyoufour,Emilia,andmeabletogetuphere.”
“We’llletMarcoknow.”Derekturnedanddroppedbackontothecouch,evidentlydonewithus.
“Tellmewhat?”Adeepmalevoicecamefromthefarhall,andashiftlessmanstrodeforwardwithhisdefinedchest,abs, andarmsonfull display.Hisdarkbrownhair wasmussedandslightlydamp,likelyfromsweatifthesheenonhisskinwas whatIthoughtitwas HisdarkeyesscannedoverRodbeforelandingonmeandtakingmein “You’reoversecurity?”Rodasked.
“Yeah.”Marcodidn’tlookawayfromme.
“Thenwhyisn’tthebuildingalreadysecure?”Roddemanded “Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?”Marcofinallyfacedhim,evidentlynotappreciatingbeingquestioned. “Thebuildingsecuritymanagershavefullaccess Theycanreachthislevelwithoutbeingapprovedorescortedbyoneof us.”
Marco’sshoulderstensed,makingthealreadylargemusclesbulge “It’sonmyto-dolist” Rodcockedhishead,lookingmorethreateningthanI’dseenhimyet.“Youthinkyouhavetimetoworkoutwhenyouhave completed your tasks? Buildingsecurityis critical. Restrictingaccess should have happened before youevenmoved in, let aloneEmilia’sarrival”
“Therehavebeenafew...bumps.”Marcodidn’tseemconcernedatallbyRod’srisinganger. “Whyhaven’tIbeennotifiedaboutanyofthem?”hedemanded “BecauseIhavethemhandled.”
“Obviously not” Rod maintained a calmexterior, but I’d been around enough male wolves to know he could shift in secondsandkillthisguyifMarcodidn’tstarttakingthisseriously. Iputmyhandonhisshoulder.“Rod?Whyarethesemeninmyapartment?” Herubbedthebackofhisneck “Theyliveheretoo” “What?”
“Shedidn’tknow?”Cruzchuckled “You’resharingthisplacewiththem.” ThefuckIwas!
“No.”
“Look,we’renotthrilledbytheidea,either,butwe’veallgottomakesacrifices,princess,”Marcosneered,andImarked
himasmyfirstdeathinFlorida.
“Idonotneedmysecurityteamlivingwithme.”Irefusedtobackdown.Rodneededtofixthis.
“Securityteam?”Derekscoffed “We’reabitmorethanthat” Hethoughtso?
Irelaxedmyshouldersandslowlyturnedtohim Hewastheyoungestlookingofthethree,aneasytarget Ilickedmylips andsmiled.“You’reright.”
Withouttakingmyeyesoffhim,Imoveddownthehallandroundedthecouchtostandinfrontofhim “Youhavesomuchtodo.”Iusedmysoftvoice,theoneIreservedforwhenmenneededtofeelalltoughandstrong,and cockedmyheadasItrailedmyeyesdownhisbody.
Hewasthick,muscular,butsowerealltheshiftersI’dmet Hisdarkbrownhairwasscruffy,likehehadn’tevenbrushedit today,andhisdeep,darkeyeslockedonme.
Ibentdown,restingmyhandsonmyknees,sohehadaperfectviewofmycleavage Thesuckerstared “Iknowyou’llprotectme,right?”
Heswallowedandagreed
Isteppedforwarduntil mylegswereontheoutsideofhisandloweredmyselftohissitonhisknees.Hiseyeswidened, andIrubbedmyhandsoverhisshouldersanddownhischest.“Oh,you’resostrong.”Ilookedupathimthroughmylashes. “Uh-huh”
Ibitmylipandslidmyhandsbackuptohisneckandtightenedmygrip. Hiseyeswidened,andhismouthgapedopen “Whatthefuck!”Marcoyelled.
“Getoffhim.”Cruzlungedtowardme,butIreleasedhimandwasstandingbackupbeforehecouldgettome. Igaveeachofthemaninnocentsmile,still keepingmyvoicelow andseductive.“Icouldkill all threeofyouinunder a minute.”Ireturnedtomyglare.“Idonotneedorwantyouhere,sogo!” Rodpinchedthebridgeofhisnose “Emilia” “She’spsychotic!”Derekrubbedhisneck.
“Oh,please,”Ipouted “Didyourprecious,fragileegogetaboo-boo‘causealittlegirlbestedyou?” Derekleapttohisfeet,butMarcowasthereinaflashtoholdhimback.
“Bothofyoustop!”Rodordered.“You’reateam.Thatisn’tchanging.Now,Ihaveworktodo,andsodoallofyou!” Heturnedlikehewasgoingtoleave,butIhurriedoverandcaughthisarm.Heabsolutelycouldnotabandonmehere.
Emilia “THIS IS NOTwhatIsignedupfor.”IglaredupatRod,growingmoreenragedbyhisbemusedsmile. “It’smotivationtogetthejobdonequicker.”Heshruggedandheadedtothedoor.
Ireachedoutandgrabbedontohisforearm,squeezingabitmorethannecessary.“Iworkalone,Rod.” Hegrimaced.“Notthistime.”
“Rod, I’mserious Idon’tneed them” Ishota lookover myshoulder Ididn’tcare ifIhurttheir feelings Theyshould knowwhatIthoughtofthem.
“They’rebackup”
Myheadsnappedback.“SincewhendoIneedthat?I’veneverfuckedupasinglejob.”
Heranahandoverhisface.“It’sapartofyourpersona.You’rearichheiress.They’reyoursecurity.Itsellsthestory.” Inarrowedmyeyes “Fourofthem?”
Hadhejustmadethatupoffthetopofhishead?
“Javier has all thedetails Youstartintwodays”Hepulledonthehandleandsteppedback,usingthedoor as ashield “Callmeifyouneedanything.”
“Ineedanewplacetolive”
“Anythingotherthanthat.”Heofferedasmallwavebeforeshuttingthedoorbehindhim. Thatfuckerjustranaway.
Wherewashestaying?Couldn’tIgowithhim?
WhatdidIneedbodyguardsforanyway?Iwasatrainedkiller.Ifanything,I’dhavetosavetheseidiots. Ileanedagainstthewallandletoutasigh Iftheywereonlytheretoplayarole,thenwhyweretheylivingwithme?
HowwasIsupposedtoseduceamanwithfourroommates?Icouldn’tbringhimbackhere,andIdidn’twanttoalwaysbe onhisterritory
Thiswholesituationwasshit.
Someone,andIwouldbetallmymoneyitwasn’tawoman,clearlyhadn’tthoughtthisthrough.
“Don’tbeshy,nena”Cruzshotmeabrightsmile “There’splentyifyou’rehungry”
Hepointedtotheopenpizzaboxesthatlookedatleastonedayold.Abeercanpyramidstoodnexttothem.Thiswasmy livinghell
“Don’tcallmebabe,”Igrowled.“Andyouwillcleanthisplaceup.”
IstaredthemdownasIcarefullysteppedoverwhatIhadtoassumeweredirtyclothesbecausewholeftcleanunderwear inthemiddleofthekitchen?ThiswaswhatIgotforbeingthebestatwhatIdo?Punishedtolivewithheathens?WhathadI donetodeservethis?Mytrackrecordwasflawless.Inevermadeamistake.
Ideservedavacation,notbabysittingduty
“We’llgettoit.”DerekwavedmeoffwithouttakinghiseyesoffthefootballgameontheTV.
“No,thisisdisgusting,andIrefusetoliveinaplacelikethis”
“Seemslikeayouproblem,”hemumbled,asifwedidn’tallhavesupernaturalhearing. Iburnedaholeintothesideofhisheadwithmymindbeforemovingon.“Weneedtoestablishsomegroundrules.” “Fuck.Theysentusadiva.”Marcorolledhiseyes.“Anotherpackprincesstowaitonhandandfoot.” Beforethesentencewasoutofhismouth,myknifelodgedintothewall,afewcentimetersfromthesideofhishead. Hiseyescuttoslits “Youmissed”
“What the fuck!” Cruz jumped off the couchand went over to checkhow close I got. “Dude, I’mprettysure it landed exactlywhereshewanteditto”
Ididn’tconfirm.NowthatIhadtheirattention,Icouldmovethisalong.
“I’mnota packprincess. Youwon’thave to watchoutfor me. Mybodycountis higher thanall ofyours, combined.” I wasn’tactuallysureaboutthat,butthatdidn’tmatter “Idon’tneedorwantanyofyouhere Icancompletethismissiononmy own.”
“Ifanyofthatistrue,thenwhyarewehere?”Marcochallenged “I’vebeenaskingRodthatsincewelefttheAlpha’soffice.”
Derek’s brows rose, and Cruzsucked ina small breath Barelynoticeable to anyone not trained to lookfor suchsigns Marcowastheonlyonewithcontrol.
“YouspoketotheAlphaaboutthis?”
Theydidn’t?Whothefuckweretheseguys?Somethugstheyfoundonthestreet?
“Allofmymissionscomefromhim.”OrthroughhimviaRod.
DerekandCruzexchangedaquicklook
HadtheyevenmetElLobo?
Icockedmyhead “Whereareyouguysfrom?”
Now thatIhadmorethanasecondtotakethemin,Iknew I’dneverseenthembefore.ThePack’sterritorywasvastand spannedmostofthesouthernhalfofthestates,allofMexico,andmostoftheCaribbean,butIknewmostofthepeopleworth knowing,atleastbynameorpicture
“Doesn’tmatter.”Derekgrewdefensive.
“Who’syourcontact?”
“Javier,”Derekautomaticallyreplied,despitethetensionradiatingoffhisbuddies.
“WhothehellisJavier?”Icrossedmyarmsanddidmybesttoignoretheunidentifiablestainonthetilenexttomyfoot. “Theleaderofourgroup,”Cruzsupplied. “No,ImeantwhoisyourcontactwithinthePack?”
Hisshoulderwentup “Javiertalkstothem” Thatexplainednothing.
“Andyoumindlesslyfollowhim?” “Hey,”Marcosnapped.“He’searnedourtrustandrespect.Wedon’tcaretodealwiththenittygritty,sohedoes.” “Thenwhereishe?”
“HewasonacallwhenIcameout,”Marcosuppliedwhilelookingmeover,judgingmeasharshlyasIwasjudginghim. “Well,accordingtoRod,hehastheplan,andIneedit.”
“TheAlphadidn’ttellyou?”Dereksmirked “ElLoboandhisofficedon’tdealwiththe nitty-gritty.Igettoldhigh-levelinformation,thenmakemyownplan,butthisis auniquesituation I’mnotheretokillthistime”
“Right.”Cruzrubbedthebackofhisneck.“You’reheretofuck.”
Ipracticallyflewacrosstheroom,usingmysuperstrengthandspeedtopinhimagainstthewall,mysecondknifepressed againsthisthroat “Whatdidyoujustsay?”
Hetriedtospeak,butIwascrushinghisesophagus.
“Lethimgo!”Marcoroared,butIignoredhim
Iglaredupathiswideblueeyes,notcaringhehadsixinchesorfiftypoundsonme.Icouldkillhimrightnow.Onesmall move,andhe’dbejustanothertally
“Lethimgo!”anunfamiliarvoiceboomedthroughtheroom.IfIwasalesserman,likeoneofthem,Imighthaveflinched, butitwouldtakefarmorethanacrankywolftostartleme.
“Now”Ahandgrippedmyshoulderandspunme,earningaswipeofmyknifeagainsthischest Anewshirtlessman,presumablyJavier,toweredoverme.Ragepouringoffhim. Toobadthiswashisattemptatbeingintimidating Itjustmademehorny He was almost too good-lookingwithtanskin, a face carved frommarble withabs to match, and light brownhair that complementedhiscarameleyes
“Oops.DidIgetyou?”IsmiledsweetlyasIwipedhisbloodoffmyknifeontomyshirt. “She’scrazy,”Cruzpantedbehindme.
“No shit,” I said without looking at him I was having too much fun staring down Javier He was too handsome to be anythingbutmynextplaything.Ididn’tnormallydowolves,butI’dmakeanexceptionforhim.
“Isthereaproblem?”Javier’sjawwassotenseIwantedtotouchittoseeifitwasashardasIimagined “Nope.”Itookhimin,thoroughlyenjoyingtheviewofhisbroadshoulders,taperedwaist,andthighsthatprovedhenever onceskippedlegday.
“Whoareyou?”Cruzwhisperedbehindme.
“Whatareyou?”Derekgrumbled,withhisarmscrossedagainsthiswidechest.
Inarrowedmyeyes.“Atool.Justlikeeachofyou.”
Javiertookastepclosertome.“Fromnowon,you’reapartofourteam.Wedon’tstabourteammates.”
Irolledmyeyes “Ididn’tstab him”Ibarelybrokeskin Cruzrubbedathisneck,smearingtheteenytinybitofblood.
“Wedon’tpullweaponsoneachother”Javierdroppedhisheadbackandmumbledsomethinglike“damnedchildren”at theceiling.
Hewasright Histeamwasabunchofchildren Bigbabies
“Look,Ithinkweallgotoffonthewrongfoot.Weweren’texpectingyouuntillatertonight,andwedidn’tgeteverything done.”Hegesturedatthemess.“Butnowthatyou’rehere,wecangettowork.”
“Finally”Isighedandlookedatthecouch,brushedawaysomecrumbsandsat “I’vebeenwaitingforthepersonincharge toshowup.”Ibattedmylashesandcrossedmylegs.
“Weworkasagroup”MarcomovedtostandatJavier’ssidelikethebitchboyhewas “Sure,sowhydoesn’tthegroupstartcleaningwhileMomandDadtalkgrown-upstuff?” Helungedforme,butJaviercaughthim “She’sright Thisplaceisembarrassing Cleanupafteryourselves”
Marco’s jaw dropped.Thenhe lookedtothe others like theymightbackhimup,butCruzandDerekwere slightlymore intelligent.Thethreeofthemhustledintothekitchen,andDerekpulledoutaboxoftrashbagsfromacabinet.Huh.Theydid knowhowtonotbedisgusting Theyjustchosetolivelikethis
Javiersat,extendinghisarmoverthebackofthesofasohecouldfaceme.“Sorry,Iwasbusywhenyouarrived.Icould havesmoothedthingsover”
Aw,hewastryingtobecharming.Howcute.ToobadIalreadyhatedhimandhislittlecrew.
“AsI’msureyou’realreadyaware,Idon’tneedbackuporbodyguards,orwhateverthehellyoufouraresupposedtobe.I knowthereareplentyofPackmembersintheareaIcouldcallonifIneededthem,butIwon’t.”Icuthimoffwhenheopened hismouth.“Rodalreadytoldmeyourpresenceisnonnegotiable,andI’mnotonetowastemytimeorbreath.I’mmovingpast that I’mhere for the mission Iwantitdone and closed as fastas possible, like youdo So, let’s come up witha planand executeit.Hopefully,wecangobacktoourliveswithinafewweeks.”
Itpained me to saythat Mylongestassignments usuallylasted three or four days I’d beenlookingforward to a longer challenge,buttheideaofspendingweeksorlongerwiththesewolvesmademyskincrawl.
“That’sfinewithme.We’reheretoassistyouinsucceeding,andIbelievewhatweofferwillbenefityou.Marco’shacking abilitieshavealreadybeenanasset.Heconfirmedourtargetwillattendthebenefitgalaintwodays.”
Inodded.“That’sourfirstcontact?”
“Yes,thegoalistomakeanintroductionandpiquehisinterestinthenewheiress”
“That’sit?Icouldgohomewithhimandsetupcamerasormicsortrackers.”Orkillhim.Thatwouldwrapthisallupin onego
Hejerkedforward.“No,no,we’replayingthelonggamewithhim.Wewanthimtocometoyou.Ithastobehisidea.Ithas tofeelreal.”
I stifled a groan I knew this Alpha made it clear this was a recon mission I was to infiltrate his world and leak informationback.Iftheyjustwantedtohackintohisphoneorcomputers,someonelikeMarcowouldhavedonethatalready. I’mherebecausetheywanttotakedownAlessioDiasandhisempirefromtheinsideout Unfortunately,hewasstraight, andIwastheonlyfemalequalifiedandwithinhisagerangetoplaytheroleofavapidheiress.
Butwaitingtwo days justto sayhi to the guy? Thenwhat? Waitingfor himto call me? Sitbythe window until a horse comeswithamessengerinvitingmetohisball?
Ugh,Ididn’tmovethisslowly.Ever.
Getinandgetout ItwashowIlivedlife “Fine,sowhatdowedountilthen?”
Helookedaroundtheroom “Hangout?”
Thistime,Ididgroan.“I’mnotexactlythetypetositstillandlookpretty.” “Noshit,”Marcosneered “Youcantrainwithus,”Cruzoffered. Icockedabrow.Ihadn’tscaredhimoffyet?“Dowehaveaprivategym?” Asshifters,wecouldn’tdomuchofanythinginonewithpublicaccess Therewasnowaytoexplainourspeed,strength, orquickhealing.
“Yeah,it’sdownthathall”Javierpointedinthedirectionfromwherehe’dcome Well,thatwasasurprise.AtleastIwouldn’tgrow weakinmytimehere.MaybeIcouldevengetthemtospar withme. Thatcouldentertainmeforafewminutes.
“That’swherewehavethesurveillanceroomsetuptoo.”
Marvelous. This was progress. Inormallydid myownor had a reportsentto me bysomeone who’d beenwatchingmy
target.
“Whatdowehaveonhim?”
“Hishomeaddress,knownassociates,businesslocations––”
“That’sit?”IcutoffDerek.
“Wegotintohispersonalcalendartoday,”Marcoadded Ishookmyhead.“Idon’tneedtoknowhisdamnedaddressoranyofthebasicshitanyonewithinternetaccesscouldgive me I need to know his favorite restaurant What cafe he gets his coffee from How he takes that coffee Who his favorite designer is. Does he buycustomor have everythingtailored? Where does he take his dates? Where does he take themona seconddate?Isitaclubifit’sjustahookup,ordoeshegoalloutforeverywoman?Ineedalistofallhisexes.”Irubbedat mytemples “Mymissionistoformaromanticrelationshipwiththisman Ineedtoknowwhatmakeshimtick Whathistells are.Notwherehelaundershismoney!”
Istoodandbeganpacing
Forasecond,justone,Ithoughttheymightactuallyhavethingsundercontrol.Ha! Theywerejustmuscle Heretosellthestory Asalways,Iwasonmyown.
I WATCHED hertakethreestepsbeforespinningandtakinganotherthree.Theareabetweenthesectionalandthewall wasn’tverybig.
Shehadapoint,though.
TheguysandIhadbeentreatingthislikeoneofournormaljobs.
Butthiswasauniquesituation,asuniqueasthewomanbeforeme Intwodays,she’dbesteppingintoanewworldandinfiltratingoneofthemostdangerousorganizationsintheworld. Andshe’dbedoingitonherown
Wewerebackup,but,intheend,shewastheonethathadtolureDiasin.Shehadtogainhisinterest,attention,andtrust. Shit.
Shewasright “We’llgetthat.We’llstarttomorrow.”
Herheadsnappedtowardme,herwarmchocolateeyesnarrowedtoslits “You’llstartnow” Marcoscoffed.“Whatarewesupposedtodo?”
Sheturnedonlyherheadtolookathim Itwasborderlinecreepyhowtherestofherbodyremainedperfectlystill “Find him.Followhim.Takenotes.”
NoneofthemreacteduntilCruzlookedatmewithaquestioninhiseyes. “YouandDerek,trailhim”
Derekdroppedthetrashbaghe’dbeenfilling.“Now?”
“Hehasareservationfordinnerateight”Marcofacedhim “I’llsendyoutheaddress” “Startthere,”Iagreed.“Takepicturesofwhohe’swithandwherehegoes.”
Emiliasteppedforward “Whathe’swearing,thewomenwithhim,howhetouchesthem Iwantthedetails,notjustalistof destinations.”
“Thisisn’tourfirsttime,cariño,”Derekscoffed.
Emilia tensedbeside me Her fingers goingtoher hip,butIcaughther hand “Nomore knives” Iturnedtomybrothers “She’sapartofourteam.Allofyouneedtoacceptthatandmoveon.She’srightaboutneedingmoreinformationthanwe’re usedtoprovidingforamission Thisisallnewterritory Wecan’tmessup” OnemisstepandEmilia’slifewasatrisk.
We’dbeenwarnedoftheconsequencesoffailing.
Itwasn’tanoption.
“Onit.”Cruz,themuchmoreamicableofthetwo,swepthisarmoverthecounter,collectingtheoldbeercans,bottles,and pizzaboxesinhisbag “We’lltaketheseout”
HenoddedtoDerek,whogrumbledunderhisbreathastheyfinishedinthekitchen.Hewalkedabasketoflaundrydown thehallandthengrabbedtwobags
Emiliawaiteduntiltheyweregonebeforefacingme.“Where’smyroom?I’dliketounpackbeforefiguringoutdinner.” Marcocoveredalaughwithacoughandwipeddownthecounter.
Shenarrowedhereyesathisback,thenlookedupatme.
“Thereareonlytwobedrooms.”Hadn’tRodfilledherinonthesituation?
Shewenttowardherbags “No,therearefour Whichone’smine?”
“Youdon’thaveone.”Marcoenjoyeddroppingthatbombabittoomuch.
Sheclosedhereyesandinhaleddeeplybeforeopeningthem “What?”
“We’resharing.MarcoandIareinone,andCruzandDerekareintheother.” Herjawrocked.“SoI’lluseoneoftheothertwo.”
“No,weconvertedoneintothetrainingroom,andtheotheristhesurveillanceroom Neitherhasenoughroomforabed” IswearIsawherclawscomeout,buttheyweregonebeforeIcouldconfirm. Imusthavebeenimaginingthings Thatwasn’tevenpossible “ThenwhereamIsupposedtosleep?”
“Couch?”Marcosuggested Sheignoredhim.
“You’llhavetosharewithoneofus.”
“I’mcallingRod”Shespunonherheelandheadedtowardthedoor “Hecan’tdoanythingaboutit.”
“Youguysneedyourownapartment,andsodoI Thisisn’tgoingtowork” “Ifthatwasanoption,don’tyouthinkthat’showitwouldbe?Realestateisn’texactlyeasytofindaroundhere.”
Sheshookherhead “Therehastobeanotherway”
“Look,princess,”Marcotossedthepapertowelaway,“we’veeachsearchedonourown.Wewereluckytofindthisplace intime.Therewerenohomeswecouldsecurewithoutanotherteamcomingin,andnobuildingwithtwounitsavailable.None ofusarehappyaboutthis”
AlthoughMarcowascertainlysmiling.
“HowamIsupposedtodothis?HowcanIseduceamanwhenIhavethefourofyouaround?Ican’tevenhaveyouguys leaveandtakehimtomybedroom.”Shebeganpacingagain.
Marcosneered.Hedidn’tseemtoliketheideaofherbringinganyonetoherbedeither.
Wolves were naturallypossessive and territorial, butwe couldn’tactonthose feelings. Emilia was ours to protectand assist.Thatwasall.
Wehadnoclaimoverher
Wecouldn’tgetgrumpyoverknowingshewasdoingherjob. Nomatterhowgorgeousorsurprisingorintriguingshewas Afemalewhowasn’tbattingherlashesorsimperingatthethoughtofwork?Itwasbeyondrare. Afemalewhocouldholdherownagainstthefourofus?Impossible. Icouldn’tthinkofherlikethat.Noneofuscould.
Shewasanothermemberofourteam.Acolleague.Wewereallprofessionals,andwe’dactlikeit.
“Wecanmovethetwootherbedsintoourroomandgetyouanother”IbarelyhadthewordsoutbeforeMarcoslammedhis fistagainstthecounter.
“No,wecan’t Thereisn’tenoughroom Princesswilljusthavetoshareorsleeponthefloor” “That’sbullshit,”shesnappedathim.
“We’llprobablybeworkinginshifts,anyway.Justpickabed,andwe’llrotateasneeded,”Isuggested.
Itwasn’taperfectsolution,butIhadnootherideastomakeitwork
“CruzandDerekhaveanensuite.Whydon’tyoutakeoneoftheirbeds,andthatcanbeyourbathroom?We’llallsharethe oneinthehall Thenyouatleasthavesomeprivacy”
Marcowastryingtogetmetolookathim,butIrefused.ItwastheonlythingIcouldofferher.Wewereusedtomakingdo withmuchless “Fine.”
Ishowedhertotheirroom,andshedroppedherbagsattheendofthefurthestbedbeforeturningandsurveyingthesecond bed,dresser,andTV
“Thebathroomisthroughthatdoor,andtheclosetisthisone.”Itappedonthecloseddoornexttome.
Shetookitinslowly “Thanks”
“Areyouhungry?Wehaven’teaten,andwecanordersomething.”
“Notpizza,”sheimmediatelysnapped “Nopizza,”Iagreedandtookastepbackward.“Chinese?Mexican?Indian?Thai?” “Italiansoundsgood.”Hertenseshouldersdroppedaninch.“Chickenparmigiana.”
“Gotit Doyouwanttoshoweroranythingwhilewewait?”
Sheglancedaroundtheroomagain.“Howlongdoesittaketogetthingshereusually?” “NotaslongasIfirstexpected Maybeanhourtops” “Iwanttogetaworkoutin.”
“Soundsgood.Icanshowyouthetrainingroomafteryouchange.”Hertightskirtdidn’tseemlikethebestoption. “I’mfine.Youcanshowmenow.”Shewalkedout,leavingmetofollowherintothelivingroom.
“Wouldn’tyouprefertobeintennisshoesatleast?”Itwasn’tlikeshecouldruninheeledboots.
Shespuntofaceme.“Irarelygettowearleggingsandcomfyshoesonassignment,soIdon’ttraininthem.Itwouldonly makemeweak.”
Hell Shewasanassassin,likeus,butRodletusknowhermissionsweredifferentfromours “Likewhat?”Marcoasked.
Shecockedherbrow
“Whatclothesareyounormallyin?”
Sheblew outabreath “Lotsofeveningwear,floor-lengthgownsandstilettos I’mluckyifIcanwearashorterdressto have easier access to myweapons. I’ve onlybeenable to wear a pantsuit a handful of times, but never anythingless than businesscasual.”
Hemirroredmysurprise “Soyoukillcloseup”
Sheglancedbetweenus.“Yes.Youdon’t?” “Nottypically”
“We’realltrainedinlong-rangeshooting.Wealsoplantbombsorpoisons.”
Sheletoutahumorlesslaugh “Yeah,Ithoughtthat’swhatIwoulddowhenIstartedtraining,buttheAlphadecidedtouse myuniqueabilitiestohisadvantage.Veryfewpowerfulmenorwomensuspectsomeonelikemecapableofdoinganyharm.” Sherolledhereyes.“It’sincrediblyfrustratingtobeunderestimatedconstantly,butitworkstomyadvantage.Iguessitiswhat itis”
MarcoandIsharedalook,andIknewwhathewasthinking.Weunderestimatedher. “So?Thetrainingroom?”
“Right.”Iledherdowntheoppositehall towhatwouldhavebeentheprimarybedroom,butwefilleditwithequipment sinceitwasthebiggest.
Sheslowlyperusedtheoptionsfromthecenteroftheroomcoveredbyamat.“Doyouwanttospar?”
She wantedme tofighther? Withouteither ofus knowingwhatthe other was capable of? Iguess thatwas how real life went,butwhatifshethoughtherselftobeanexpertbutreallyhadalow-level skillset?Ididn’twanttohurther Evenifwe couldhealquickly,Ididn’twanttobetheonetotakeherout.
“Ineedtoorderdinner”Yes,thatwasaterribleexcuse Ihurriedbacktothekitchenandpulledoutmyphone,attemptingtolookbusyasshefollowedbehind. “Marco,areyoufree?”
Heeyedhersuspiciously.“Yes?”
“Canwespar?”
Heshotmealook,butIquicklydroppedmyattentionbacktomyscreen “Sure.”
Theydisappeared,andIletoutasighasIleanedagainstthecounterandpulledupthefooddeliveryappandfoundahighly ratedItalianrestaurantthatcoulddeliversomewhatquicklyandputinmybrothers’ordersbeforerememberingtoaddhers. WhenIfinished,thesilencealarmedme.Theapartmenthadn’tbeenthisquietsincewemovedin.Noyelling.NoTV.No oneaskingforme
Isthiswhatparentsfeltlikewhentheyhadamomenttothemselves?
Ilovedtheguys Theyweremyfamily Butwe’dbeenlivingtogetherforoverfifteenyears alwaysontopofeachother andinoneanother’sbusiness.Weknewthisassignmentwouldbedifferent.Wesignedupunderstandingspacewouldbetight, butthatneverbotheredusbefore Wewereanexcellentteam.Onebuiltontrust,love,andrespect.OnethatexistedbeforethePackeverofficiallyhiredus. Noneofuswerestrangerstodanger,pain,orloss.Wewouldn’tknoweachotherifwedidn’thavethatincommon.After all,wecametogether inaplacethatwasonlyfor thosewithnoother options Toobrokentobeadopted Toodifficulttobe fostered.Toodangeroustobearoundnormalchildren.
CrockettCountyBoysHomewasmoreofaprisonthanahouse,butitwasoursalvation Itwastheoneplaceintheworld wherewebelonged.Theonlysafespaceforboyslikeus.
Itbroughtuspainandsufferingworsethananychildshouldknow,butitalsomadeusunbreakable
Ifwe hadn’tbeenthere,together,the Packnever wouldhave foundus,savedus,andofferedus a future we never could havecreatedforourselves.
So sharing a bathroomand beds was nothing new for us It wouldn’t make the list of top one hundred worst things to happen.
And what would come next if we were successful? Unimaginable Those four unwanted, unloved boys couldn’t have dreamedsobig.
Apained gruntreached me, and Ipushed awayfromthe counter and reentered real life. Marco couldn’tinjure or bruise Emiliathissoon.Shewouldn’thaveenoughtimetorecoverbeforemeetingthemarkandcouldn’tdothatlookinglikeshejust gotbeatup.
I’dhavetowarnCruzandDereknottogotoohardonhereither.
“Sayit!”
Inearlytripped over myfeetwhenIsaw Marco face-firstonthe ground, withEmilia straddlinghis thighs She had his armspinnedunderhimwhilecontrollinghislegs.
“Sayit,”hervoicedroppedtoalowgrowl ImovedcloserwhenMarcowheezed.WhatIthoughtwasaknifewasactuallyherindexclaw.
“Whatthehell?”
Shedidn’treact,butMarcoattemptedtoturnhisheadtowardme,earningapunchtohiskidneywithherfreehand. “Sayit.”Shewasmuchtoocalm.Shedidn’tsoundlikeshewasstrainingatalltostayincontrol. “Fuckyou!”
“Youwish,”shelaughed.
Thepsychoactuallylaughedasshepressedhersingleelongatednailintohisneck,millimetersunderhiscarotid “SayitorIcut.”
“Marco,Ithinkitwouldbewisetotellherwhatshewantstohear”Ishouldn’tbeenjoyingwatchingmybrotherstruggle somuch,butitwassuchararesight.Icouldn’tletthemomentpasswithoutrevelinginit. Ipulledoutmyphoneandsnappedafewpicturesbeforepostingthemtoourgroupchat.
Shedraggedherclawdownhisneck,teasing “Sayit”
“Fuck!”heroared,buckinghishipstonoavail.“Fine!Womencanbejustasstrongasmen.”
“Stronger,”shecorrectedbeforebendingover,stickinghertongueinhisear,andjumpingoffinaflash,takingoffdownthe hallbeforehereacted.
“Ahhhhh!” He gagged and rubbed his ear against his shoulder before sitting up and using his shirt to wipe away any remainingspit.
Yes,Ihadtheforesighttocontinuedocumenting.Igotthewholethingonvideo,anditwouldliveeternallyinmymemory.
“Thankyouforthat”IchuckledasIwalkedaway “She’sfuckingcrazy,”hegrumbled,stillonthemat.
Ididn’targue Shewas,butthatwasexactlywhatwasnecessarytosurviveinourworld
