Electra Chapter 10
I had a very restless night. Between thinking of Swerve, leaving Wrath’s Recovery, and jumping at every little sound, I barely slept.
I was so tired this morning, but I had to go to work.
I had responsibilities there, and I hoped that Swerve would be there so I could render my resignation.
Rhodes had called to check on me last night, and when he found out I hadn’t, he’d threatened to go in and do it for me. I told him I’d get it done.
I was disappointed when I got to work. Swerve wasn’t there, and it didn’t appear that he would be.
He had texted at the last second to tell us he wouldn’t be in.
I was on a deadline to resign, so I decided I’d type up my letter and email it to him tonight.
It wasn’t my preferred method, but I couldn’t delay.
Since I wouldn’t be there much longer, I largely ignored Annette.
There was no need to be falsely friendly with her.
Her ability to irritate me grew exponentially every day.
After a cursory hello and letting her know I had a busy day ahead, I ignored her.
She tried to pop in and gossip with me, but I shut her down.
She sat at the front desk, sulking. I was convinced it was more due to Swerve not being there than my attitude.
Once I found her standing in the middle of his office, staring at his desk. Creepy if you asked me.
My day was disturbed around lunchtime. Only it wasn’t due to Rhodes this time.
I heard voices at the front. They were murmuring, so I couldn’t hear what was said.
I was about to investigate when they stopped.
Probably someone asking directions or trying to nib shit.
We got that. Since there were no screams, I assumed it wasn’t anything dangerous.
The sound of multiple footsteps coming toward my office startled me a couple of minutes later. I rose to my feet and was coming around my desk when the doorway was filled with big men. Luckily, they were ones I knew. I relaxed and smiled as I greeted them.
“Lord, you scared me. What are you doing here? Swerve’s not here today,” I told Butcher, Scorpion, and Micro.
It wasn’t until I was finished that I noted the grim expressions on their faces. Fear hit me. “What’s wrong? Is Swerve alright?” I asked. My first thought was he’d been hurt.
“Why do you care?” Scorpion snapped.
I reared back in surprise. The animosity in his tone was evident. “Of course I care. Is he alright? Why’re you all here if he is?”
Slowly, they parted, and I saw Swerve in his chair behind them. Relief hit me hard, weakening my knees. I had to put my hand down on the edge of my desk.
“My God, Swerve, you guys scared me. I thought you weren’t going to be here today.”
The four of them came into my office. Once Swerve was inside, minus Dozer, he shut my door. My relief changed to tension. Their grim expressions hadn’t changed. Scorpion was glaring at me.
“Have a seat, Electra. We have something to discuss with you,” Swerve said gruffly.
I moved back to take my chair. They didn’t sit, just arranged themselves between me and the door. Panic filled me. Could I be wrong about the Horsemen? Were they not the knights I thought they were? I dropped my hands to my lap. My drawer was less than a foot away.
“Put your hands where we can see them,” Butcher ordered.
I had to defuse the situation and try to extricate myself from whatever this was. “Butcher, what a thing to say. You sound like you think I’m going for a weapon,” I joked.
“Exactly,” he responded.
“Why in the world would I pull a weapon on you guys? You’re not making any sense, and frankly, you’re scaring me. What is the meaning of this?”
“Put your hands where we can see them, Electra,” Swerve ordered.
I slowly did as ordered. However, only one ended up on the desk. The other came to rest on my chest, right below my pendant necklace.
“Fine, I did what you wanted. Will someone tell me what is up with all of you?”
“I will. It seems we’ve had a snake in the grass and didn’t know it. You should’ve been more careful. I give you credit for fooling us for as long as you have. But the jig is up,” Scorpion stated.
Oh fuck, did they know? It certainly sounded like they did, but I still refused to admit it. I gave them my best innocent, yet confused, expression. “The jig is up? I have no idea what you mean.”
“You don’t? Tell us, who have you been meeting for lunch the past two days?” Micro asked.
“What does my lunch companion have to do with this? I told Swerve. It’s someone I hope to gain support from for Recovery.”
“Christ, she lies so smoothly, doesn’t she? No wonder you bought it, brother. I would’ve too. However, the lies end now, Electra, if that’s your name. Don’t lie. We know who he is,” Butcher added.
“Rhodes Boone, age forty, resident of Gainesville, Florida. Occupation—Assistant Special Agent in Charge at FBI headquarters in Gainesville. Mind telling us why you’re meeting with an FBI agent?” Micro asked.
Fuck, they knew. If I was wrong about them, this was about to get ugly, and me against four wasn’t good odds. I fiddled with my pendant.
“Is there a reason I can’t have lunch with him?
His job isn’t a factor. We’re friends. We haven’t seen each other in a while, and he’s back in Florida.
He wanted to see me. I was telling him about the work done here, and he’s interested in supporting your efforts.
He has tons of connections due to his job. ”
“Cut the fucking innocent act. You’re more than friends with him.
You were seen hugging and kissing each other.
And yes, it is our business if you’re spying for him.
What did the FBI do? Have your boyfriend plant you here to spy so that you could feed him information, and then they could bring a case against us?
Well, too bad for you, that’s not happening.
We’ve done nothing to warrant that,” Swerve hissed.
It hurt to have him look at me with hatred. Suddenly, I was done playing the game. I stood up. They tensed. I let my hands fall to the desktop, then I bent forward. My chair was pushed back to give me room.
“I wasn’t planted here by my boyfriend to spy.”
“Sorry, I meant your lover,” Swerve sneered.
“He’s not my lover. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll be leaving. Since you’re here, I’ll let you know what I intended this morning. I’m resigning. However, since I now know what you think, I won’t be able to give you notice like I planned. I’ll be out of here in ten minutes tops.”
“You’re not going anywhere until you tell us what the hell is going on. Why is the FBI sending spies into our business? What others are they in?” Scorpion snarled. He made a move toward me. My hand went to my pendant.
“If you prevent me from leaving unmolested, I’ll push the alarm on this necklace.
Your business will be surrounded by FBI agents so fast your head will spin.
I can promise you, they won’t take kindly to you detaining me.
I know Rhodes won’t. So, do you want to have them crawling through every business and orifice you have?
Or would it be better to let me leave?” I threatened.
We stared at each other. It was Swerve who broke the silence.
“Let her go. I want her out of my sight. And tell your FBI lover to leave us alone. We’re not the ones he should spend his time on.
Why not go after real criminals? Butcher, will you stay with her and make sure she doesn’t take anything she shouldn’t? ”
“No problem, Swerve. You guys can go wait in your office.”
I watched them leave. The look Swerve gave me as he rounded the corner made me want to cry, but I refused to do it.
Not wasting time, I grabbed the few personal items I brought with me and my purse.
Butcher made me empty my purse to ensure I didn’t have anything I shouldn’t.
I angrily did so. When he was satisfied, I headed for the door.
His hand came up to grab my elbow. I stopped and glared at him.
“If you don’t remove that hand, I’ll do it for you. There’s no need to touch me. I’m leaving.”
“You think you’re tough because you have that FBI man, don’t you?” he sneered.
“No, I don’t need a man to be tough, or to break your hand. Try me,” I hissed.
He let go. I marched past Swerve’s door without turning my head.
I was done. This would thrill Rhodes to no end.
There was no Annette to see my exit, thank God.
I was escorted to my car. I got in without another word or glance at Butcher.
However, when I drove out of the lot, I noticed I had picked up a tail.
If they thought that would stop me, they were wrong.
Reaching under the seat, I flipped on the signal disruptor.
If they believed they could plant a bug on my car and hear what I had to say, they were sadly mistaken. I wasn’t born yesterday.
Rhodes picked up on the second ring. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, but I’ve been blown. They know about you and think I’m your lover, planted as a spy. I’ve been fired.”
He swore, then stopped. “I can’t get to your place right now. I’m out of the area. I can be there this evening. Go home, pack, and wait for me to get you. Take what you need. I’ll get you to a safe place. This is for the best, Ellie. Two weeks might’ve been too late.”
“Yes, you’re right. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Watch your six,” he said.
“And you do the same. By the way, they’re tailing me. They might be doing the same to you.”
“I dare the fuckers. See you tonight.”
“Tonight,” I said before we hung up. My fury grew the whole drive home.
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