Chapter 15
BELLA
It’s been a week since Copper and I took our relationship to the next level, and I’m loving every moment of our new life. He’s everything I could want in a partner, and the way he loves me fills the empty spaces that have been my constant companions for the last few years.
It's almost ten days since he took me to Sam and Ally’s wedding. So many changes in a short space of time, but all of them good.
Even with the stress I’m under at work, I feel ten times lighter than I did a month ago.
Cahir and Silas moved on the information I sent them on Friday night.
Well, the Queens Wraiths ran the operation, but they were there as backup.
We were told it went off without a hitch on our side, though there were casualties on the traffickers’ side.
They saved a container full of women and children from being shipped out.
They’re now safe at the clubhouse, being cared for by the Old Ladies until they can be reunited with their families.
They’re the reason I made the sacrifices I did. Every person we save makes those sacrifices worthwhile. How could it not?
Copper and I breathe a sigh of relief when we get a call from Coal. I know Copper hates not being there to help, but selfishly, I’m glad he’s safe at home with me, and I hold on to him a little tighter after the phone call.
We settle back into our routine, returning to our early morning workouts before work.
But by far the favourite part of my day is his kiss as we leave to go to work.
I’ve never thought of myself as a particularly affectionate person, but it’s different with Copper.
All my insecurities disappear as soon as he takes me in his arms. He makes me a better version of myself.
Some days, I want to pinch myself to make sure that what we have is real.
After what I did to Sam, I never expected to be lucky enough to find a man like Copper. This time, I vow to do better.
***
The minute I walk into the office, I can tell something has happened. Everyone is tense, with none of the usual chatter after a weekend, and a few of my colleagues are crying.
“What’s going on?” I ask a colleague when I get to my desk.
“John was found murdered on Saturday night,” she replies tearfully. “He went out to pick up fish and chips for the family, and when he didn’t come home, his wife went looking and found the police at the chip shop. He didn’t even make it inside. Why would anyone do this?” she asks sadly.
My gut sinks. I know why. It was John’s books that held the coordinates that were used for the rescue.
This organisation works quickly and brutally. The places I worked before weren’t as reactive.
Alan walks into the office and clears his throat. “I’m sure by now you’ve all heard the sad news about John. Bereavement information is available in the canteen if anyone needs to speak to someone. We’ll be passing the hat around a bit later today to help his family pay for the funeral.”
Jesus, they’re fucking cold.
They murdered him, and now they’re trying to make it look like they care.
I swallow the bile that threatens to rise. I knew this would be dangerous, but fuck me, it’s becoming clearer by the day.
“Bee,” Alan calls, pulling me from my thoughts. “I’d like to see you in my office.”
Oh, fuck. Have I been made?
I grip my necklace in my hand. “Of course,” I nod and give him a tight smile. “I’ll be there shortly.”
Grabbing a pen and paper, I walk towards his office, ignoring my crying colleagues.
Now that I know what they do to those who turn against their organisation, I’m not sure I can be responsible for any more deaths. I’ll need to speak to Cahir and Silas before they move on to the other coordinates I’ve given them. We need to ensure my colleagues are safe.
I knock on Alan’s door and wait for him to reply.
“Enter.”
“Door open or closed?” I ask as I step inside.
Alan’s gaze is flinty as it lands on me, very different from the usual lecherous looks we’re given.
“Closed.”
I do as he asks and walk towards him.
“Sit,” he orders.
It takes everything in me not to reach over the desk and punch him in the face at the tone he’s using. Taking a deep breath, I remind myself that breaking his face means breaking my cover.
Alan studies me like a bug under a microscope. His eyes dart to the ring on my finger, but he doesn’t remark on it. He stares at it for a minute before he says, “Since John is no longer with us, I want you to take over his accounts.”
My eyes widen with surprise before I can school my expression.
“You’ve proven your skill on our accounts team over the past six months. I know you can handle the increased workload of locating the discrepancies.”
He pauses as if waiting for me to complain, then continues when I remain silent. “You’ll be compensated for the additional work, of course.”
I nod. “Understood. The extra money will be welcome as I now have a wedding to pay for.” I wait for a few seconds before asking, “Do you need me for anything else?”
My nonchalance seems to surprise Alan, and his eyes widen slightly. His gaze becomes shrewd and assessing. I’m not sure exactly what he’s looking for. The cool facade I’ve projected since I started working here is now firmly in place.
“I noticed you came back from your weekend away engaged. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” I stand. “If that’s all, I’ll get back to work.”
He nods and waves his hand toward the door. “That’s all. I’ll have the ledgers dropped off to you later today.”
I nod and turn on my heel. I need to get out of this office before I shoot him with the gun tucked against my lower back. It’s so light, I almost forget it’s there. Thea knows what she’s doing when it comes to weapons.
“One word of advice, Bee,” Alan says as my hand reaches for the door handle. “Keep your head down and do your job. I’d hate for anything to happen to your new fiancé.”
Ice spreads through my veins. I have to rein in my temper as I imagine all the ways I could kill him while he sits there threatening the life of the man I love with all my soul.
Gritting my teeth, I give him a curt nod. “Understood.”
Wrenching open the door, I stalk to my desk and sit down. I don’t want Alan to think anything is wrong, so I force myself to boot up my computer and start my day, but inside, I’m seething.
How dare he threaten Copper?
I’ll die before I let anything happen to him.
Alan leaves his office at lunchtime. As soon as he’s gone, I grab my bag and tell my still-weepy colleague that I’m going to lunch.
I don’t bother calling Cahir; I’ll wait until I’m with Copper to do that. When did I start thinking of him as Copper rather than Cooper? I need to be careful not to slip up, especially now that I’m front and centre of the organisation.
Oh, I know that Alan Chivers is just a mouthpiece; I need to find out who’s pulling his strings.
Now that I have increased access, I’ll follow the money.
That’s where they always slip up—the money trail.
There are only so many ways to hide it, and once I give Silas the information he needs, he can discover who is bankrolling this operation.
I hope they all burn in hell.