Thirteen
THIRTEEN
HARLEY
The atmosphere is thick with tension as I sit across from Gordon in the cold and sterile interrogation room. His face is bruised and swollen from the fight earlier, and his hands are bound to the metal table that separates us.
Hadrian, Hades, Racer stand behind me, their presence a solid wall of support. The weight of the moment presses down on me, but I refuse to let it show.
It’s time for me to demand answers.
“Why?” I ask, my voice steady but cold. “Why did you poison my father when he’s given you everything?” I don’t waver or flinch when Gordon’s dark gaze meets mine. I won’t back down, not for a coward like him.
Gordon sneers, his lip curling in disdain. “Everything?” he scoffs. “He’s given me crumbs while keeping the feast for himself. Your father is a tyrant, Harley, and you’re too naive to see it.”
Anger flares inside me, but I keep my composure. That’s something Da has taught me—never let your enemies see the affect they have on you. Focus, breathe, and speak with confidence.
“He trusted you, Gordon. He brought you into our family, into our organisation. And you’ve repaid him by plotting his murder?” I tilt my head to the side as I regard the man I’ve come to know over the years. I may not have liked him, but my father trusted him.
Gordon’s eyes flash with a mix of anger and resentment. “Your father never trusted me, not completely,” he spits angrily as he tugs at his restraints.
My father had this soundproof room built at the back of our main warehouse. The shelving on all four walls is filled with tools and implements that can be used for interrogation…well, more like torture. I’m thankful I’ve never needed to use any of them before, but right now, I’m sorely tempted to lose myself in a blood lust.
“I never once gave him a reason to second guess my loyalty, but he chose you to be the boss. He chose a weak, pathetic woman over me,” Gordon rants.
He seems to be confessing all the pent-up anger that’s clearly been building inside him for years, so I let him continue. I want to understand what pushes someone into that kind of darkness and makes them want to hurt others.
“I was never going to get anywhere with you at the helm. I decided to take matters into my own hands,” Gordon admits. “It was too risky to kill Shaun or have him assassinated in the conventional way, especially with the men who were so loyal to him. The suspicion would have immediately fallen on me.”
Gordon looks away for a long moment before his gaze lands on me again. There is pure rage burning in his glare, and it causes me to hold my breath.
“When your father’s heart started acting up, I hoped he would die then. I prayed for it. But the bastard survived and was ready to take back control of the organisation. I couldn’t let that happen, so I started to poison him. I wanted to take over the organisation, but I didn’t know how until I was approached by the leader of the Mod Boys. He was interested in destroying your father and his reputation, so we worked together to divert shipments and bring down you and your father. It would’ve worked if this lot hadn’t got involved.” He nods his head towards Hadrian, Hades and Racer.
The rage in his voice grows with every word, and the anger inside me coils tighter like a rope, tugging at my insides. It makes me feel sick thinking about what could have happened if this bastard had got away with his plan.
“My father knew it would be a mistake to put you in charge. That’s why he chose me to be the leader,” I respond. I’m raging inside, but I keep my voice calm.
Gordon laughs. It’s a harsh, bitter sound. “You? A leader? Don’t make me laugh, Harley. You’re just a child playing at being in charge. You don’t have the spine or the guts to lead this organisation.” His words are spat with such venom that I can’t stop myself wincing, and I know he’s seen my moment of weakness.
Silently, I admonish myself, but I can tell the men behind me are simmering with rage, and I can feel Hadrian’s warmth at my back. A reminder of the support I have.
I draw strength from it and refuse to back down.
“You’re wrong,” I tell Gordon firmly as I place my hands on the table in front of me. “I’ve already proved I can lead. I’ve kept us together through this crisis. You’re the one who’s failed, Gordon. Not me.”
It’s Gordon’s turn to flinch at my words. He knows he’s lost this war. There’s nothing he can do to stop us now. He will die today, and there’s a part of me that wants to witness it, but my father has made me promise not to get involved. He may trust me to lead, but there are still things he prefers his men to handle.
Hadrian steps forwards, his voice calm but authoritative.
“Harley is more of a leader than you’ll ever be, Gordon. She’s shown courage, resilience, and wisdom far beyond her years. You, on the other hand, have only shown cowardice and treachery. It’s time for you to pay for your sins. You know what happens to men who are disloyal to the Hunt organisation.”
Gordon’s sneer falters, his eyes shifting to Hadrian. “You’re as blind as she is. The Hunt organisation needs someone strong. Someone ruthless. Not a foolish, little girl who thinks she can play with the big boys.”
“Strength and ruthlessness aren’t the same as leadership,” Hadrian says, his voice like steel. “Harley has the loyalty and respect of everyone here. What do you have, Gordon? A failed coup and a lot of enemies.”
Gordon’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t respond. He knows Hadrian is right. The silence stretches, heavy with the weight of unspoken truths.
Finally, Hades speaks up. His tone is almost conversational. “You made a mistake, Gordon. You underestimated Harley, and now you’re going to pay the price.”
Racer steps forwards, and I glance up to see a smirk on his face. “You’re an idiot for thinking you could take us all on. We’re stronger together, and Harley’s responsible for keeping us that way.”
I take a deep breath, feeling a mix of satisfaction and sadness. This confrontation was necessary, but it also reveals the deep fractures within our organisation.
“You’ll answer for your crimes, Gordon,” I say quietly. “You betrayed us, and you’ll pay the price for that.”
Gordon’s defiance flickers, replaced by a hint of fear. He knows there’s no way out of this.
“Do what you want,” he mutters, his voice losing its edge. “But don’t think for a second that you’re fit to lead. This organisation will crumble under you.”
I feel a sudden surge of determination, and standing up, I place my hands on the table and lean towards him. “We’ll see about that, Gordon. We’ll see.”
As I leave the room, I feel the weight of the encounter lift slightly. We’ve confronted a traitor, but the road ahead is still uncertain. Hadrian falls into step beside me, his hand brushing mine in a gesture of silent support.
“You did well in there,” he murmurs, his voice low and reassuring. “You showed him what real leadership looks like.”
I nod, feeling the warmth of pride spread through me at his words. “Thank you,” I say softly. “It means a lot to hear that from you.”
We’ve left Racer and Hades in the room with Gordon. I don’t hear any screams, so I’m not sure if they’re just watching him, or if they’ve already killed him.
“I am so feckin’ proud of you, Harley. I didn’t envision this life for you, but you’ve stepped up and showed that you’re more than capable.”
“Thank you, Hadrian.” I’m grateful for his faith in me.
“Hades and Racer know what to do with that traitor for the next few minutes.” His voice sounds cold and harsh, but I know it’s directed at the bastard in that room.
We walk out into the cool night air, and the stars above are a reminder of the vast world beyond our struggles. We’re met by the group of men who remained loyal to me and my father and who came to fight alongside us tonight. I feel a sense of unity and resolve among them, and as each one, in turn, comes up to me to take my hand and shake it, I realise they respect me. There’s a shared commitment to rebuild and strengthen our organisation.
“I need to go back inside and help the others with Gordon and then confront my father,” Hadrian tells me, and I nod.
“I know.” Leaning up onto my tiptoes, I press my lips to his cheek and his beard tickles my face.
Hadrian has bound his long hair in a bun, which is a sure sign that more blood is about to be shed. He leaves me outside, but I’m not alone. The men are still with me, surrounding the perimeter, so I’m safe.