Chapter 33
“You broke protocol!” Declan shouts into the phone.
“Dec, I had to. You know why.”
“I can’t protect you anymore, Nova. You’re on your own with this one.” He sounds so defeated that tears spring to my eyes.
“I know. You don’t have to, Dec. You never had to, though I appreciate that you always have.”
Declan sighs. “Even if you take down this crime syndicate and provide evidence clearing Mr. Mills, I don’t think I can get you your job back. Not with so many infractions.”
“I don’t want it.” I hadn’t even let myself think those words.
The CIA is my whole life, but as I look around the room at the people who’ve risked their own lives and careers to help me, all of them zeroed in on my conversation with Dec, I realize the CIA might not be what I want anymore. This job isn’t my whole life.
They are.
“You’ve worked so hard, Nova. How can you say that?”
“Because I’ve realized there’s more to life than this. There’s more than putting bad guys behind bars.” I don’t know why I’m suddenly whispering. “I want to live, Dec. I’m done. No more chasing revenge that will never fill the hole in my chest since my father's death.”
I hear him sigh on the other end of the phone, his voice also coming out as a whisper. “And Owen?”
“What about him?” I rein in the anger that throws me off at the mention of his name.
“What if you can’t get him out?”
It’s a practical question, one I’ve avoided asking myself for fear of the answer.
“Then at least I tried. At least I can live without the regret.”
There’s a long silence. He knows I’m full of shit.
“He has the best lawyers in the city, thanks to his father,” Noell says carefully.
My head snaps to Noell, who sheepishly smiles at me. That’s a story I’m going to have to pry out of her when this is done.
Declan continues, “And your evidence is good, especially with your whistleblower, but if you can’t get Peyton to testify and show up to court on time, then I think the best you can hope for is twenty years.”
I growl, unable to help my reaction. That fucker better testify.
Noah chuckles from the doorway, leaning against it in the easy way he always does, arms folded across his chest. It’s almost as if he’s looking forward to the hell I will rain down on the man myself.
“I’ll get him to testify,” I say through gritted teeth.
Declan laughs this time, probably since he knows full well the facial expression I’m wearing. How did I ever doubt him?
“But what about you? Are you coming to the trial? Are you testifying for him?” he asks.
I’ve dreaded this question, but there’s no way I’m sitting this one out, not if it helps Owen. “If the lawyers think it will help, I’ll testify. Regardless, I’ll be there.”
I notice everyone’s shoulders drop a little at my words.
Another long silence has me already anticipating Declan’s next question. “And Gray? Do you have any evidence?”
Declan sounds like he wants to track the man down and strangle him to death. I don’t blame him. I want to do the same.
“Not yet. Eagan’s working on hacking his computer now.”
The use of Eagan’s name has Declan asking another question. “That reminds me, Eagan.”
Eagan’s head snaps up from the computer, and he pales.
“Once you gather all that evidence, I’d like to have a chat with you in my office.”
Eagan’s eyes widen, and Ella holds back a laugh, smothering it with her hand.
“Stop being an ass, Dec,” I hiss.
Declan laughs. “I’d like to offer you a job before I resign.”
Eagan visibly sighs, and Ella beams at him, patting his knee in moral support.
“I’ll be there, sir,” Eagan says.
Declan huffs. “Please don’t call me sir.”
“It makes him feel old,” I say sarcastically in Eagan’s direction.
Declan snorts, then clears his throat. “Get the evidence, and then we’ll take him out. We’ll take them all out.”
“Thank you, Dec,” I say, though it’s not enough. It will never be enough after all he’s done for me.
“You never have to thank me, Nova. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to help you. You are the sister I never had.”
There are nods of confirmation all across the room, their faces bright as if they share similar feelings toward me, especially Jax.
“Shut up before you make me cry again,” I snap at the phone.
I hear his laugh, and I wish I could reach through the phone and throw my arms around him.
“Let’s go take down those motherfuckers,” he says, and I smile at everyone surrounding me. At the family I never knew I’d have.
I find myself staring at the one man I had hoped to never see again. His snakelike smirk is plastered on his face, as if he already knows what I’m going to ask him.
“We all know you’re a smug bastard, Peyton, and that you’re really only here to gloat, but for once, could you please not give me hell for it? I’ve had a rough couple of days,” I seethe.
Peyton laughs, looking around at my entourage who insisted they be here for this.
Noah is definitely here to watch me punch Peyton.
Parker wants to help convince him to testify for his brother, and Noell is here because—I’m now almost positive—there’s something going on between her and Parker, though she’d never admit it.
Eagan is ready to record everything being said for evidence purposes. Ella is here for me and Eagan, and Jax and Evan are excited to witness what I’ve really been doing in my career.
Though when my gaze finds Jax, who smirks back at Noah, I change my mind—he’s here to watch me punch Peyton, too.
Who am I to deny them?
I play the part, though, biding my time.
“Proceed, Miss Riley,” Peyton drawls, crossing his arms over his chest and resting his dirty shoes on Owen’s desk again like he owns the place.
I try not to throw his damn feet off the desk. Not yet, at least. I need to get verbal confirmation that he’ll testify.
“I need you to testify for Mr. Mills.”
Peyton laughs. “Not a chance.”
I stand leaning across the desk. “I think what I have to offer in return might be something you’re interested in.”
His lips curl into a sneer. “I’m listening.”
Stepping out from behind the desk, I plop on the edge of it, close to Peyton. “You have ten warrants for your arrest. Did you know that? Turns out, it’s hard for this company to hire you with all of those warrants. Impossible, even.”
Peyton’s sneer turns to a frown as he sits up, planting his feet back on the floor. I track the movement.
“I’m listening,” he repeats.
“It’s simple. You testify for Mr. Mills—and yes, you will legally sign that you intend to do so, as well as provide verbal confirmation, which is being recorded as we speak—and the CIA will drop every warrant. You will be free to work here.”
Peyton sits up straighter. “All ten?”
I nod.
Peyton raises a brow, his lips twitching. I know I have him even before he speaks. “You have a deal, Miss Riley.”
Peyton stands, holding out a hand for me to shake. I smile sweetly, reaching for his hand.
And then I punch him square in the jaw.
Unsurprised gasps circle around the room. Noah takes a few steps closer, his eyes trained on Peyton, but he’s laughing so hard that I don’t think he’d be able to protect me if he needed to.
Peyton rubs his jaw. His fingers swipe away blood on his lower lip. “Touché, Miss Riley. I deserved that.”
This time I reach out my hand. “Truce?”
Peyton eyes my hand skeptically but smirks. This time, though, the grin doesn’t twist my insides. He grabs my hand and gives it a firm shake. “Truce.”
I nod, pulling away. “Welcome to the company, Mr. Radd. I’m sure Mr. Mills will love his new assistant.”