Chapter 60
The excitement is almost too much to contend with as I navigate the weaving driveway to Bleakcrest. Scarlet roses sit on the passenger seat, reminiscent of the colour Rose’s hair used to be. Petals fluttering in the tropical breeze flowing through the open windows.
The realization that I actually miss her plowed into me half way through my flight. The feeling wasn’t new, I’d felt it every time we’d been apart since I laid my eyes on her. However, I was blind to it then, or dismissive, ignoring the tightness winding in my chest at her absence.
I round the bend, pulling toward my usual parking spot. Reid makes his way to me before the vehicle is stopped. He looks worried, sweaty, bouncing on the balls of his feet like he’s prairie dogging and doesn’t have anyone to relieve him.
“About fucking time,” he whisper-snaps. “What the fuck took so long? Your flight got in almost two hours ago?”
God forbid I want to shower before I have Rose on her knees, lips wrapped around my dick. It’s all I’ve been able to think about since last night.
Wait…
“What? How the fuck do you know that?”
Reid ignores me, walking hastily back to the mansion. Impatiently, he waits for me at the open door. The fucker may as well tap his finger on the face of his watch obnoxiously.
I’m thoroughly fucking unsettled. Every hair on my body stands on end as I debate whether to enter or not. I could be walking into a trap. Does Maximus know who I am? Will I ever see the light of day again? Is my team safe? Or has Maximus derived cum-worthy joy extinguishing every one of them?
Fuck.
I steel my nerves, pulling up that emotionless persona I need to get the job done. I owe it to the women and men on my team who put their life on the line for this plan to ensure their safety or demise.
“Could you walk any slower, Rip?”
I freeze in my tracks, lifting my eyes to him.
He knows.
I retreat a step, then another. About to make a break for the shitty rental to retrieve my gun.
“He will kill her,” Reid hisses, “if he hasn’t already.” Waving me back toward him quickly, irritation contorts his usually impassive features.
My stoic mask falls, fear gripping me tight. “Rose?” I breathe, and he slowly nods. “Where?” I don’t think, just act. Ready to take off in any direction he tells me. All logic and sense of forethought shooting out the fucking window at the thought of her in pain because of me—dead because of me.
If Reid knows, that must mean Maximus knows.
I’m walking into certain death.
From beneath his suit jacket, Reid retrieves the two guns holstered at his ribs. Handing them to me, his eyes are sad. “If Max gets free, come back for me. I don’t want to be captured.”
“Reid…”
Without another word, he turns. I follow, without being beckoned this time.
Tucking the two pistols into my pants, I hide them beneath another billowy dinosaur button-up.
I’d hoped the shirt would earn me one of those genuine laughs from Rose, the ones that are more rare than the most sacred and cherished jewels of the world.
My stomach flips, and not in the good way.
I’ve never been scared of a fight. Even when I concocted this plan, executed the first parts of it, I wasn’t terrified.
I stepped into the path of those bullets fully knowing I’d either die, or the beginning stages of my mission were complete.
All that was left after that was to heal, scheme, manipulate, infiltrate, then kill.
Simple.
Now, I’m more fear-stricken than ever. Everything I’ve worked for is on the line.
Two men with assault rifles pass us, moving to stand on either side of the main door. “They’re taking up my post,” Reid whispers over his shoulder, but it does nothing to calm my rapidly beating heart. Especially since it takes two of them to replace one of him.
I observe Reid closely as he leads me through a brightly lit dining room, into a narrow hallway with no windows. I’m waiting for the moment he turns on me.
Reaching a dead end, his head hangs. “I’m so tired, Mr. Morgan. I really hope you’re the one who can end this.”
I’m about to object, play dumb, and deny everything he’s implying, but his body sags further, exhausted gaze lifting to mine. “Let’s just skip the part where you pretend to not know what I’m talking about.”
“Fine,” I clip, looking around. There’s nothing of note in this corridor. Not a door, window, or sound to be heard. “Where is she?”
Slowly, Reid pulls at the corner of a heavy tapestry hanging behind him.
It’s nothing special. The muted floral pattern is quite plain compared to the rest of Bleakcrest. Hidden in the shadows behind the cloth is another hallway.
This one seemingly more restricted than where I’m standing, if at all possible.
“Follow it straight down, don’t divert until you come to a small kitchen area,” he says.
I knew there would be secret passageways in this hellhole.
“Leave that room, then turn left. Rose is in the same cell as before.” I nod, waiting to see if there’s more before I bypass him into the darkness.
“I’ll wait here until I hear gun shots, then I’m pulling the fire alarm.
It should buy you some time.” I’m shocked, rendered speechless.
He’s giving me the key to the castle, all I have to do is claim it.
“Thank you,” I reply, clapping him on the shoulder.
Reid nods his head, the movements slow and sad.
He doesn’t want to betray Maximus, but the weight of the organization has crushed him.
This is probably his final attempt to save his companion…
friend…lover? I don’t know what they are to each other but only love would drive a man to insanity such as this.