The King, page 27
This was my fault. I hadn't listened to my own instincts telling me something was off with Graciella. I ignored it all. And now Saff was gone and I had no one to blame for that but myself.
Fuck.
Saffron
When I woke, my hands were tied.
Of course, the motherfucker had tied them.
“Glad to see you're awake. Now maybe you and I can have a conversation." His voice was smooth and deep like I remembered. His cultured accent gave no definitive clue as to his upbringing. He could be British, Swedish, hell, even an American who had spent some time in boarding schools.
I struggled against my restraints.
Drake Webster leaned forward into my view, and his dark hair fell over his brow. "Easy does it. I don't want you to hurt yourself."
"Why? You want the pleasure of doing it yourself?"
He grinned. “I'm not so much into the physical pain thing."
"Hey, if that's your kink, have at it."
I struggled some more. All I had to do was activate my secondary tracker in my belt.
Webster leaned back and tsked, his dark hair flopping in his face, his blue eyes bored. Why was he bored? He had me in his grasp, so I expected more from him.
"What the fuck do you want?" I demanded.
“You, my dear, have caused me more than my fair share of trouble."
"Well, considering you murdered my parents, I figure your debt is eternal.”
Emotion crossed over his expression. "Look, about that—"
"Nope. I have zero intention of hearing whatever you have to say about that. You lied. You gained my trust. You used me, and then you murdered them."
His brow furrowed. “I know what you think but—"
"No, fuck you. The moment I get free, I am killing you."
"I don’t think you have it in you."
“You don’t know me,” I scoffed.
He chuckled then. "Ah, little one, you have grown into a feisty cat. I can see why he likes you."
He leaned down to brush some of my braids out of my face and I jerked back. “I swear to fucking God, if you touch me, I will kill you."
“You don't understand, do you? I'm not trying to hurt you."
My stomach rolled over as I considered. “If you don't want to hurt me, what do you want?"
“Can't you see I’m protecting you?"
"By murdering my parents?"
"Like I said, what happened to your parents was not the plan.” He shook his head. “I never intended for them to be harmed."
"Bullshit. You put a bomb on their plane."
He swallowed, looking almost contrite. “I'm sorry for what happened."
“I swear to God, the moment I am free, I am going to murder you."
“You already said that. Now, love, I know you're mad. But we can't focus on our past right now. By the way, how's the new boyfriend? I like this one. I'm sure Gabe probably likes him too."
"What? You think you're my brother now?"
"Aren't we bathed in the same blood? That makes us a family of sorts."
“Fuck you."
"While you have grown into one hell of a feisty hellcat, which I do appreciate, you're not really my type."
“I swear to God, I’ll kill you."
“You keep saying things like kill and maim, but you and I are going to become very, very special friends."
"When Gabe gets his hands on you, you're done."
"Are you sure about that? Look, as much as I would love to keep arguing with you, I need to go. And I made sure you’re safe and secure while I’m gone."
“Fuck you."
“You know, I don't remember you being quite so sassy. I love the spunk, but wow, you probably drove your brother insane.
"Why did you take me?"
"My darling girl, stop asking why and start living up to the legacy. You are the goddamn heir. Act like it."
"You don’t know anything about me."
“I know everything about you. I have been there from the beginning. I know who you are, and you have no idea what you're fucking with. So just stay put. Do not interfere, and no one will get hurt."
"Except I’ve already been hurt."
He frowned. "No one in your past has laid a hand on you. I know that."
My eyes went wide. “How do you know that?”
He lifted a brow and gave me a beaming smile. “Do you really think I haven’t kept a close watch on you all this time?”
"Are you playing Graciella like you played me?"
"What’s the matter love? Are you jealous?” He chuckled softly then added, “You, were a flirtation. We didn’t shag, remember? I do have some integrity. You were so young.”
“Thank God for small favors. I always thought you were kind of creepy. What was someone your age doing hanging around a college student? Do you really think Antonio is going to let you live when he finds out you’re shagging Graciella? His own son’s fiancée?“
He lifted a brow. “Do you really think I was shagging Graciella? If we're going to have this conversation, can we talk about your boyfriend? Does Gabe know? I can't imagine your big brother is going to be very pleased about you breaking all the rules against fraternization. Fucking another Rogues member, tsk-tsk. You know, I must say there's a part of me that's a little bit impressed with you. I don't have to say that, but I can't help it. Just look at you breaking the rules like that. You're a far cry from that little girl I once knew."
“God, I hate you."
“I know. You're supposed to hate me. I'm responsible for your parents' deaths. Hell, if I had a heart, I’d hate myself. But I did away with that bullshit years ago. Now, you're going to stay here. I need to go find Graciella."
"What the fuck do you mean, find her? She's with your men, right?"
He laughed then. “You still don't get it. You are a pawn in a game you do not understand. I can't wait until you figure it out. I would say I’m surprised that you haven't quite figured it out yet, but I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. You've been distracted by a lot of things that don't matter. And that's okay. We've all been there before. But you're smarter than this, Saffron. Pay attention to what you're being shown." He leaned in close then. “I need you to see the truth."
"Then will you let me go?"
“I would. I actually would, because I don't know how to deal with you. You're going to follow me, and that's not what I need from you right now. I have a few more things I need to lay the groundwork for to get ready for our last powerful dance. In the meantime, you just sit tight, okay? I won't hurt you. You have my word."
“Fuck you and your word. I remember once you pretended to be a friend. I won't make that same mistake again."
He sighed. “I'm sorry it's come to this."
I prayed to God my team was getting my tracker information. If I could just keep him here and talking, they would find us. They would be coming for me at any moment.
“You did grow into a beautiful young lady and one hell of a badass. I hope your brother can see that."
"What's your obsession with Gabe, anyway?"
"Ah, Gabe and I go way back. Tell him I said hi, will you? Now, I’ll leave you here, so you can't cause trouble, okay? Be happy that I didn't kill you."
“You're a sick freak."
“You know, that one I have heard before. You’d just better hope you don't have to find out how sick I really am."
I fought against my restraints, but they were too secure. I prayed to God Tabs was already on her way and not following protocol. I'd been a fool. I had walked right into the trap, and I just hoped my team was good enough to figure out what had happened and come for me.
Because right now, all I could do was scowl at the villain as he prepared to walk out the door.
Lachlan
Tabs was right. Saff had activated her secondary tracker. And thanks to some New York contacts, I’d tracked her to a small house on the edge of the warehouse district.
I approached from the south where there were fewer houses.
This doesn't feel right.
Maybe I needed to stop relying on my feelings and instincts.
Except my feelings were driving me. The terror and fear and frantic worry. And the rage. I was going to tear this fucker limb from limb. He’d taken her from me, and I owed him pain.
Stay on mission. I had a job to do. I needed to make sure she was safe first, and then there would be blood. With a grim determination, I approached the south side of the house but could see no movement.
Using my infrared, I searched inside and identified one person in a chair in what looked like maybe a living room. That was probably her. I headed along the back side of the house, moving swiftly and noticing there weren’t even any cameras back there. Fuck. Who had this level of confidence in their safe house that there was no security?
As I approached the side of the house, I quickly pulled out my lockpick kit, and just when I heard it click, I heard something else click too.
“Fucking hell. You're certainly better than I expected."
I put my hands up. “Webster?"
He chuckled. “Yes, boyfriend. See this is why you don't fuck your partner. Because you make mistakes."
“Fuck you, Webster.”
“Well, come on then. Since you're breaking protocol and coming after her in the first place, let’s get this over with.”
I whirled around, knocking his wrist with mine, and his grip on the gun loosened. I rotated my wrist to grab his, bracing my other arm on his shoulder while delivering a knee. He grunted as I made a connection.
But then he whipped around with his other arm, delivering a back hammer fist that was just shy of my face. I was barely able to dodge it.
He laughed. "As much fun as this would be, we don't have time for this. Bad shit's going to happen if you don't let me go."
"Yeah, bad shit's going to happen to you,” I muttered.
“I have fucking work to do, and you're standing in the way of it. But I do have to say I’m impressed. Honest to God, if anyone had told me that you would be a Rogues Division recruit, I would've laughed. Of all the legacies, you have been the most disappointing.”
"What the fuck do you know about me?"
“Your grandfather, Isaac King, is connected to Oversight. You think nobody outside of Rogues knows anything about you? Yes, you're a secret government organization, but really, you should watch who you tell your secrets to.”
He lunged for me, and I remembered the shift of the foot motion that Saff always did just as she angled out of position. I did the same and caught Webster in the temple. He grunted as it dislodged him from his path. I launched myself at him and delivered a couple of sharp punches. The first one made contact, but the second one he blocked.
He dragged me forward by the lapels, banging his head against mine. With my brain rocked, he jumped on top of me. “I don't have time for this, and you're in my way. Stay the fuck down. She will be cross if I maim you so, I’m inclined to keep you alive. But I will make it hurt.”
"Who the fuck are you talking about?"
Webster laughed. "Saffron, of course. Who knew she was going to grow into such a beautiful woman?”
The growl bubbled up from somewhere deep in the center of my body, and I grappled with it. All the while he just laughed.
"Oh, mate. Does Gabe realize you're shagging his sister? When he does and realizes that you can't give her up, that is going to be a fight I wish I could watch, but that’s for another day. While I admire what you're trying to do here, it's time for you to stop.” He pointed the muzzle of his gun at my shoulder, but I struck out, dislodging it.
The gun went clattering, and Webster’s eyes went wide for just a millisecond before he delivered another elbow that rocked me.
My world spun and I fell back, desperate to get back to my feet, but I couldn't. The oddest thing happened though. When Drake had his gun back in hand, he turned to me and shook his head. “You should have just listened and stayed fucking down. Now it's going to take you longer to get to her.”
He raised his gun, and I knew I was done, and I’d never told her the truth. That I loved her. That this was real. She would never know.
But instead of shooting me as I expected, Webster shook his head, tucked his gun back in his holster, and ran.
All I could do as the gray closed in on the edges of my vision was watch as the woman I loved was consumed in a ball of fire.
32
Lachlan
I woke up to ringing ears, a blasting headache, and one word on my tongue. "Saff." Saff had been blown up. The house... Barbed wire squeezed around my heart, but my brain refused to acknowledge what had just happened. "Saff?"
"Would you quit your bitching? I'm right here."
Her voice was clear, right bloody next to me. I frowned trying to blink as I came fully awake. Obviously, I was dreaming. "Saff?"
"That's my name. Don't wear it out."
I dared to turn my head, and there she was, sitting upright. Her face was smudged with dirt, and she had some cuts and bruises, but otherwise, she was fine. "B-b-but you… You were in the house."
She nodded. “Yeah, Webster set some charges. I was closer to the front of the house and the explosion took out the back. I was barely touched. There was some flying debris which accounts for my scrapes, but otherwise, I was not hurt. I'm really lucky. Are you okay?"
I winced as I sat up. “Yeah, but I’m not sure why. He could have killed me, Saff, but he didn't."
She nodded. "Same for me."
Rookie groaned from the corner. "Well, he actually shot me. So, fuck that guy."
When I glanced around, I realized we were in some kind of white medical looking room. Tabs nodded at me. "Surgeon's office. He's a friend."
I lifted my brows, but she didn't elaborate. “Did we get Webster?"
Tabs shook her head. "No, but Saff has an idea."
“Yeah, we didn't catch Webster, but we all kind of brushed with him and he didn't kill any of us. Sure, he shot Rookie, but it could have been worse. It was through and through and completely superficial. He didn't hit anything vital."
I frowned at that. "He hit nothing vital?"
Rookie shook his head. “It was like he just wanted to slow me down."
"This doesn't make any sense."
Saff nodded. "Exactly. But seeing that he didn't hurt any of us”—she held up a hand toward Rookie—"seriously, I don't think he wants to. Which means he also wants us to find him, or at least find what he's going after."
Tabs crossed her arms and leaned against the door. "And what do you think he's going after?"
“I think he's going after Graciella."
"But why does he want Graciella?" she asked.
Saff shrugged her shoulders. “I don't know. All I know is that I misread the situation. From some of what Webster said when he had me, I don’t think she’s dating him. I think she's seeing the old man. I also think she was really hoping Webster would eliminate us, which means she has something major to hide. And while I want him in custody with the strength of a thousand suns, I still think we can get them both. He mentioned something about the Highland. We need to find out what that is.”
Tabatha nodded. “I know some locals I can ask for help. I think it’s a hotel, but you never know.”
Saff agreed. “Perfect. I think we can get two heads for the price of one. If we can get local help, even better.”
I frowned at Saff. She couldn’t be serious. She’d nearly been blown up by a psychopath. That same psychopath who had shot Rookie. We needed to regroup, not jump in head first.
Are you thinking that because she’s putting herself in more danger, or because you honestly think she’s mishandling the mission?
It didn’t fucking matter. She wasn’t seeing this clearly. She was being driven by revenge and her emotions. I was afraid she was going to get herself killed, and just the idea of losing her had that barbed-wire feeling wrapping around my heart again. There was no way this was a good idea, and I knew I had to speak up.
"We've taken enough hits today, don't you think? You were just fucking kidnapped by that psychopath."
Saff pursed her lips. "That's just it. I think he only took me because he had to. I don't think he wanted to take me with him, but he couldn’t risk leaving me where I was for some reason."
She was grasping at straws, and I pressed on. “Is this your gut talking? Because it’s already been wrong today."
She frowned at me. “Our mission is all that matters. Yes, there’s some risk, but I will call it in and get it cleared. Right now that’s the job.”
“Are you so desperate to prove Gabe wrong that you’re willing to throw yourself headlong into danger?"
The moment the words were out of my mouth, I knew I’d made a huge mistake.
“This is the gig, Lock. We catch the bad guys. And we don’t give up. That’s what you signed up for. It’s what we all signed up for. Either you’re with the team or you’re not.”
I ground my teeth together in frustration. “You keep saying these things to me about teamwork. But what happens when your team leader can’t see the bloody forest for the trees? Your single-minded focus could get us all killed."
“It’s a matter of trust. When we go into the field, there are orders for a reason. Now if you’re too injured to go back out, fair enough. Get back to the safe house. The rest of us are going after Webster and Graciella.”
Tabs glanced between us, and so did Saint as he popped up out of bed. "Well, I’m not that hurt, so Tabs, why don't you help me find something to eat. Then we’ll figure out what this Highland business is."
When the two of them were gone, Saff turned to me. "Look, I know it's been a hell of a day. Nothing has gone right, but we are on a mission."
I shook my head stubbornly. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to watch the woman you care about nearly get blown up? I can’t watch that again, Saff.”
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