Chapter Sixteen
“I still don’t understand why we couldn’t just tell Cyrus.”
Python’s eyes filled with flames as he glared at Storm.
“Because my mate is losing his mind dealing with agency bullshit and I am not going to add to his stress by telling him we’re about to commit what could technically be considered murder, assault, or at the very least interfering in an agency investigation, depending on how things go. ”
Arrow shifted his weight, leaning against the workbench in the sawmill workshop where he’d spent the last few days attempting to whittle.
Python had warded the entire building - whatever that meant - so no one could overhear them.
All five assassins were present - Storm and Devon flanking the door, Calvin and Levi standing near the back wall, and Flint pressed against Arrow’s side.
“The agency is driving him nuts,” Python continued, pacing.
“They’re calling at all hours - day and fucking night.
These management idiots act like they don’t even believe assassins can have fated mates, which is complete bullshit.
But they keep pushing for Arrow and Flint to come to the main office for ‘interviews,’ just so the whole thing can be ‘sorted out.’” He made air quotes with his fingers.
“Cyrus is doing his best. You all know he’s got the patience of a saint, and he’s got our back no matter what.
He’s calling in every favor he’s ever been owed, and it’s like he’s hitting his head on a brick wall.
I don’t like what this whole mess is doing to him, so we’re taking things into our own hands. ”
Arrow’s stomach twisted. Through his bond with Flint, he felt his mate’s anger simmering just beneath the surface, but Arrow’s emotion was guilt.
“I should go back,” Arrow said quietly. “To the city. If my presence here is causing problems…”
“No.” Flint’s voice was sharp as a blade.
“Absolutely not,” Devon added, crossing his massive arms.
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard all week,” Storm said. “And Pax tried to convince me that chocolate should be part of the vegetable food group yesterday.”
“It’s made with milk, which comes from cows, who eat grass,” Pax protested from where he sat on a stack of lumber. “That’s practically a salad.”
“Focus,” Python snapped, though his mouth twitched. “Arrow, you’re not going anywhere, especially alone. You’re part of this family now, which means we handle problems together.”
Arrow’s throat tightened. They’re all standing up for me.
“What can we actually do, though?” Devon’s reasonable tone cut through the emotion.
“We’re assassins under contract with the agency.
We can’t just kill Patterson for being annoying, otherwise, you’d have already done that, Python.
It’s not just the paperwork, which would be bad enough in itself, but the implications for our jobs… ”
“It would be a nightmare,” Calvin finished. “They pay us to kill their targets, but Fates help us if we take someone out on our own. That could reflect badly on Cyrus as well, given that he is supposed to ‘handle’ us. How’s he going to explain an unsanctioned killing to upper management?”
“Patterson would have to do something that warrants it, first,” Levi pointed out. “We could probably make that happen.”
Arrow straightened. “Or…you know, I’m not an assassin.”
Everyone turned to look at him.
“I’m not under contract with the agency,” Arrow continued, his wolf stirring. “If Patterson insulted my mate - which he did, multiple times - I’d have the right to challenge and fight him. All I need is somewhere this can happen that’s not in the Alley.”
“Now we’re talking.” Python’s grin widened. “And you’re exactly right. No disrespect to your previous profession, but we don’t want agency personnel anywhere near our homes. This is our space. We need somewhere else that is also private.”
“You’ve already got somewhere else in mind,” Flint said. “Where?”
“Remember that run-down barbecue joint we all used to meet at? Back when Ethan was our handler, and we were being watched constantly?”
Storm nodded slowly. “The one about forty minutes out, middle of nowhere? We haven’t been there for a while.”
“We haven’t needed to because now we’ve got a home, but yes, that’s the one. Isolated, private, and perfect for what we need.” Python pulled out his phone and put it on a bench. “Arrow, I’m going to need to borrow your phone.”
Arrow handed it over without question. Python’s eyes went completely black, the flames extinguishing as something else took over. When he spoke, Arrow’s own voice came out of Python’s mouth.
“What the fuck?” Arrow breathed.
“That’s Asimov,” Flint murmured. “Python’s demon side. He can mimic voices perfectly.”
Arrow watched, fascinated and slightly disturbed, as Python - no, Asimov - scrolled through Arrow’s contacts and dialed Patterson’s number. The phone rang twice before Patterson’s gruff voice answered.
“Arrow? It’s about damn time you called. Where the hell have you been?”
“I need help.” Python’s mimicry was flawless, even capturing the slight tremor Arrow’s voice would have if he were genuinely distressed. “Please. Can you meet me? I... I can’t talk about it on the phone.”
A pause. “Are you safe? Did those assassins hurt you?”
“Just...please. I need to talk to you. There’s a barbecue place about forty minutes outside Big Sky. I can’t leave…I’ve got no car or…I’ll text you the coordinates, but I haven’t got long… Can you…?”
“I’ll be there in ninety minutes,” Patterson said immediately. “Hold tight, kid. I’m coming.”
The call ended. Python’s eyes cleared, returning to their normal state with just a hint of residual flame. He tapped at Arrow’s phone, presumably sending the location.
“He bought it,” Python said, handing the phone back. “Hook, line, and sinker.”
“What if he brings backup?” Arrow asked, voicing the concern that had been building since Python suggested his plan. “He could bring other agents, other shifters…”
“That’s why we’re all going with you,” Flint said, his hand finding Arrow’s. Through their bond, Arrow felt fierce protectiveness and absolute confidence. “This isn’t the first time we’ve done something like this.”
“We’ll stay out of sight,” Devon added. “But we’ll be close enough to intervene if needed.”
“Though hopefully it won’t come to that,” Levi said. “Patterson’s a bear shifter, right?”
Arrow nodded.
“And you’re a wolf.” Calvin’s expression was thoughtful. “That’s not an easy fight to win, you know that.”
“Wolves are faster,” Storm pointed out. “More agile. Bears rely on brute strength. Try wrestling with Devon sometime - it’s a great workout.”
“Patterson’s spent the last decade, at least, behind a desk,” Arrow said, thinking of his former supervisor’s soft middle and expensive suits. “I haven’t trained much lately, but I used to do it all the time.”
“I’m not sure that’s enough,” Pax said bluntly. “That bear might be old and pudgy, but he’s still going to remember how to fight even if he’s out of practice. No offense, but you could get really hurt.”
“Then I get hurt.” Arrow met each of their gazes in turn.
“Patterson called Flint a ‘twink assassin,’ like it was an insult. Like Flint was something to be ashamed of. He filed a complaint claiming I was being held hostage and coerced. He’s making Cyrus’s life hell and putting pressure on all of you.
Someone has to stop him, and you’ve already said it can’t be any of you. ”
“We could stop him,” Calvin offered. “One of us could…”
“No.” Arrow’s wolf growled in agreement. “Ultimately, this is my fight. Patterson disrespected my mate, questioned my choices, and threatened my new family. I’m handling it.”
Flint’s fingers squeezed his. Pride radiated through their bond.
“It’s because of you, bloodthirsty little snake,” Python said approvingly. “I like that you’re rubbing off on him.”
“That’s what he said,” Storm muttered.
“Do you ever stop?” Devon asked.
“Not really, no.”
Python clapped his hands together, flames dancing briefly across his palms. “Right. We need to move. Our old hangout is forty minutes out, and I want to get there before Patterson does, so we can set up properly.”
“Wait,” Wren said quietly. He’d been so still, Arrow had almost forgotten the chameleon shifter was there. “Where exactly is this place? I wasn’t around when you used it.”
“Neither was I,” Pax added, hopping down from the lumber pile. “Do we all know how to get there?”
“Calvin, Levi, and I used to meet there,” Storm said. “Back before any of you showed up. When we needed to talk without Ethan’s surveillance picking us up.”
“It’s rough,” Calvin warned. “No running water, no electricity. Just four walls and a roof that probably leaks.”
“But it’s warded,” Python added. “Old wards I set up ages ago, that can be renewed. They’re designed to muffle sound and mask scents, which is perfect for a private conversation, or a fight.”
“How private are we talking?” Arrow asked.
“Patterson could scream his head off, and no one would hear him half a mile away,” Levi said cheerfully. “The wards are that good.”
Devon shot him a look. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
“I enjoy watching assholes get what they deserve,” Levi corrected. “It’s different.”
“Is it though?” Pax asked.
“Enough.” Python’s voice cut through the banter. “I’ll take Flint and Arrow. We leave now, get there early, and set up positions around the perimeter. Arrow faces Patterson alone unless things go sideways.”
“Define sideways,” Arrow said.
“If Patterson shifts and tries to kill you, we intervene,” Devon said. “If he brings backup, we intervene. If he somehow overpowers you and goes for a killing blow, we intervene. Otherwise? It’s your fight.”
“What about Cyrus?” Flint asked quietly. “When will you tell him?”
Python’s expression softened slightly. “After. When it’s done, and there’s nothing for him to worry about. He’s got enough on his plate managing the agency brass. This...” He gestured at the assembled assassins. “This is us taking care of family business.”
“He’s going to be so pissed you didn’t tell him,” Storm said.
“Probably.” Python shrugged. “But he’ll get over it when he realizes the Patterson problem is solved. And I’d rather deal with Cyrus being mad at me than watch him stress himself into an early grave over agency politics.”
“You really think you can pull this off without him noticing?” Wren’s tone was skeptical. “You two are mated. Won’t he feel something through your bond?”
“I’m going to keep my emotions locked down tight,” Python said. “Asimov’s good at that. As long as I don’t get too excited or angry, Cyrus won’t pick up anything unusual.”
“And if you do get excited or angry?” Calvin asked.
Python’s grin was sharp. “Then I’ll deal with sleeping on the couch. It’s worth it to protect my mate from stress.”
“Romantic,” Pax said dryly. “In a slightly deranged way.”
“That’s basically Python’s brand,” Storm agreed.
“Can we focus?” Arrow’s nerves were starting to fray. “We’ve got less than two hours before Patterson arrives, and I’d like to know the plan.”
“The plan is simple,” Python said. “We get there, spread out, stay hidden. You talk to Patterson. Try to resolve this peacefully first - tell him to back off, leave you alone, stop harassing Cyrus. If he agrees, great. Everyone goes home happy.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Arrow already knew the answer.
“Then you fight.” Flint’s voice was steady. “You challenge him properly, wolf to bear. You win, or you scare him off. Either way, the harassment stops.”
“Kill him or scare him off,” Python clarified. “Either way is fine with me. We’ll have your back regardless. But make it quick.” His expression turned slightly worried. “I really don’t want to sleep on the couch. Cyrus gets creative with punishments when he’s annoyed.”
“Too much information,” Devon said.
“Way too much,” Levi agreed.
“You’re all just jealous,” Python shot back.
“Of your couch-sleeping prospects? Not really,” Storm said.
Arrow felt Flint’s quiet laughter through their bond, and some of his tension eased. This was his family now. Weird, violent, fiercely protective, and slightly unhinged, but his.
“Let’s go,” Arrow said. “Before I start overthinking things.”
They filed out of the sawmill, breaking into their assigned groups. Python led Arrow and Flint to his Maserati. “Buckle up,” Python said cheerfully as they climbed in. “I drive fast.”
“We noticed,” Flint said, settling into the back seat while Arrow took the front.
The engine roared to life, and they peeled out, gravel spraying. Through the rearview mirror, Arrow watched Storm’s truck and Devon’s vehicle follow at a more reasonable pace.
“You okay?” Python asked, glancing at Arrow.
“Nervous,” Arrow admitted. “I’ve been in fights before, but never against a bear. And never with this much riding on the outcome.”
“You’ll do fine,” Python said with surprising confidence. “You’ve got something Patterson doesn’t.”
“What’s that?”
“Something worth fighting for.” Python’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror where Flint sat. “He’s fighting to maintain his authority and his ego. You’re fighting for your mate and your family. That makes all the difference.”
Arrow reached back and found Flint’s hand. Their fingers intertwined, and through their bond, Arrow felt Flint’s unwavering faith in him.
“Besides,” Python added, his grin returning. “If things go really badly, I can always fireball him. That would be worth sleeping on the couch for a night or two.”