Chapter 26
KIERAN
Present day…
“ W hat the fuck do you mean he’s dead?”
I’m seething, and Lochlan’s no better next to me. But Caius doesn’t even flinch. His gray eyes flick between the two of us before he shrugs a shoulder. “You’ve been torturing him for a week. How long did you think he’d last?”
“Larkin was supposed to be keeping him alive,” I grit out.
“Larkin isn’t a miracle worker.” His expression is bored, and it’s pissing me off. “We did what we could, Kieran, but you haven’t gotten a thing out of him all week.”
I turn away, nostrils flaring as I fight to keep my cool.
Caius is too important for me to unleash my anger on.
Not only does he run the cages every night, but the interrogation rooms we use are underneath the building.
Very few people know that they are there, easily hidden in the massive building with branching hallways.
“Where is he now?” Lochlan asks, his voice low and dark. I know he’s just as pissed as I am, which means his violent side will be coming out soon.
“Larkin disposed of the body.” Footsteps tell me Caius is moving around his thick desk. “If he held out that long, then he didn’t know anything anyway. He was a shop owner. He would’ve broken easily if there was any information to get out of him.”
I’ve been considering the same thing. Jude didn’t get anything out of the man the day Lochlan was shot, so I had him brought here.
I made Lochlan wait a full twenty-four hours—which was about twenty-three longer than he wanted to—before unleashing him on the shop owner.
Honestly, it was a miracle he’d lived through that initial interaction.
No matter the questions we asked or the beatings he withstood, we never got anything out of the man.
No one has brought forth information despite increasing our incentives.
And Jude couldn’t find a trace that told us how anyone knew Lochlan was going to be there that morning.
We suspected the shop owner tipped off the rebels, but now I’m not so sure.
Spinning around, I take in Caius’s expression. He looks unbothered, and while he has a higher level of clearance than most, I don’t trust him like I do Jude. “You’ve still heard nothing?”
Caius sometimes collects information in place of debts. If it is worth it. Given his position in the city itself, it’s easier for him to hear the rumors that are spreading than it is for the rest of us. He’s trusted in a way that the Elite will never be.
I prefer it that way.
He shakes his head, leaning back against his desk. “Nothing. No one even knows Lochlan was shot from what I hear. Or about Eden’s situation.”
My jaw ticks at the reminder. “And the sweeps? The rebel sightings?”
“I have nothing new on either. People don’t love extra guards in their spaces, but they are cooperating. There’s been no talk about the rebels. The word going around is that the increased sweeps are keeping them out of the city.”
I nod, rubbing at my jaw. I’ve considered pulling the guards for that reason. I need the rebels to come out of their hiding spots. But it appears they have given the wound in Lochlan’s shoulder.
“Send word if you do hear anything.” I lean toward Lochlan. “Let’s go.”
He’s stiff but doesn’t argue as we exit Caius’s office. Keeping my head down, I move past the activity of the cages getting ready to open, heading toward Jude by the side door. He steps through it as we approach, leading us down the hall and a few turns that take us outside and behind the building.
Into the alley where Eden and I spoke for the first time.
I pause outside my car, stopping Lochlan. “You good?”
He doesn’t look at me as his jaw works, but I can see how dark his eyes have gone, the blue almost black. The sun glints off his blonde curls that he’s made into a mess with all his tugging.
His chest heaves with a breath before he spits out, “Yeah. Good.”
I know he’s not, but I won’t push. I’ll give him space on the ride back up, but I’ll tell Jude to bring Mika over for dinner. Getting the group together will help ease his agitation at his shooter still being out there.
Honestly, a little whiskey and teasing could do us all some good.
“I’ll see you up at the top.”
Lochlan walks away, and I nod to Till, who will be driving him back up. Unlike most of the guards—whom Lochlan has befriended the majority of—he’s quiet. It’s probably what Lochlan needs right now anyway.
I watch them pull away before ducking into the car. Jude will give them a few minutes before following, keeping distance between us. It’s part of us traveling separately, which is why Rohan isn’t even here right now. Someone has to stay behind in case their aim gets better.
“That was short,” Jude says, but I hear the question in his tone.
“That fucking prick is dead.”
He hums in response. “Unfortunate.” I don’t even answer. “What are you going to do now?”
“I don’t know,” I admit. I don’t mind letting Jude know that I am at a fucking loss because he’s brilliant enough to help.
“I think they are stretching you thin.” My eyes flick over to see his ice blue ones in the mirror.
His gaze drops back to the road, and he keeps his tone neutral as he drives.
“At first, it was attacks in new spots. Then it was Eden. Now Lochlan. They are drawing your attention in different directions, and you’ve responded by keeping every guard on shift as much as possible, infiltrating buildings, and practically admitting to the public you can’t find the rebels. ”
He’s got a point. Not that I like it. I can’t find the rebels, and it does seem like they are leading my attention in one direction while coming from another.
I don’t know how they are getting all the information they need to avoid me—which buildings are being swept or when Lochlan will be in the city—but until I can stop that, I need to change how I’m responding.
“Keep going.”
His lips twitch. “Stop the campaign offer of incentives. Let that die down. You have never paid for information before. Caius has always been enough.”
“He’s more effective, actually,” I mutter.
“Exactly.” We start our ascent up the mountain. “Rohan and I can reassign the guards. Instead of having them sweep buildings where the citizens see what we’re doing, we resume normal rotations through the city and down the mountain.”
“I want the fucking rebels found, Jude.” Lochlan is alive, Eden is finally back in my bed, and I don’t want to chance either of those another time around.
“So we set up snipers.” Lochlan’s home comes into view as we reach the compound, the guards stepping aside for Jude to enter.
“Only at main points around the city, so we don’t overwork our squads.
They will be out of sight and hidden, watching for any unusual activity without the citizens realizing it. ”
Well, fuck me. He has a solid plan.
“How long have you been thinking we needed to make a change?”
He parks in my garage. “Since the day Lochlan was shot.”
I step out of the car, Jude following. “He needs time before we have a meeting?—”
“Kieran!”
Jude can’t hide his smirk. “You were saying?”
“This day keeps getting fucking worse.” I turn as Conor storms through the door to the garage. “Conor. I don’t believe we have a meeting scheduled.”
“This was pressing.” He huffs as he stops before Jude and me—the bastard still looking far too entertained. Until Conor’s gaze lands on him. “Did you pull a shop owner out of his store bloody in the middle of the day?”
It’s my turn to be amused as I twist toward Jude. “Yes, Jude. Did you?”
That wipes his stupid grin off his face. “Yes.” That dry tone is back.
“Why would you do that?” Conor rakes a hand through his short, brown hair, looking flustered. “Do you understand the mess this has created?”
I fight not to roll my eyes at him. “I’m sure it was cleaned up.” By who, I don’t know. Nor do I care.
“Not an actual mess, Kieran,” he hisses. “Miles was practically mauled this morning in the city when people wanted to know why we were not only invading their personal spaces but now attacking them .”
I cut my eyes over to Jude, who doesn’t show a flicker of emotion on his face.
But I know he’s thinking the same thing I am from the hard line he’s pressed his mouth into.
He doesn’t want to tell Conor a damn thing.
I prefer not to pull him and Miles into the loop whenever possible, and if we are keeping the snipers a secret, then he doesn’t need to know.
I need the two of them to think we are putting everything with Eden behind us and moving on. I haven’t even told them about Lochlan.
“You can have Miles release a statement that we understand everyone’s concerns, and we will be removing the guards from any private businesses or residences.
” That clearly catches him by surprise, eyes widening.
“As for the shop owner, he was a rebel sympathizer who was ultimately killed by the rebels after turning on them. Make sure everyone in the city knows that, too. They need the reminder of who is really their enemy.”
Conor blinks. “You are removing the guards? And doing what with them?”
I shrug a shoulder, as if I couldn’t care.
“Returning them to their normal rotations. The rebels have been quiet. I’ve clearly forced them to lay low—besides the unfortunate business with that shop owner.
Knowing sympathizers are deflecting should encourage them to stay in hiding, so there’s no reason to be troubling our people with the possibility of them. ”
I’m lying, but I need Conor to buy it. More importantly, I need Miles to believe him. Miles is the one that keeps the city happy, the one that I allow to have a loose grip on power for instances like this.
I watch the tension drain out of his body. “Well…I’ll inform Miles. He will be thrilled to give everyone that peace of mind.”
“We all will be.” The words come out a touch more like a threat, especially since I don’t smile when I say it, and that’s enough to have Conor slowly backing away.
“Of course. We’ll get to work on that statement.”
I watch as he rushes out, relieved that, for once, he stayed in line. The sight of that prick alone has me needing a drink and a bit of violence. I wouldn’t have been able to handle an extended conversation today.
“I’m going to find my wife,” I tell Jude as I stride for the door. “Yours better not be with her.”
He chuckles behind me. “Send her home if she is. She’ll give you Eden if she knows I’m waiting.”
I glance back with a brow raised. “Are you sure either of them will choose us?”
Jude’s grin is wicked. “I’m sure we can convince them.”
* * *
“I am getting sick of all these surprises.” Eden shoots me a glare over her shoulder before turning back to the window. “Why don’t you tell me where we’re going?”
My eyes trace down her body, wearing a skintight, black outfit that I suggested. And fuck, does it look good. So much so that I’m not thinking when I answer. “You don’t know where anything is. If I told you, it would still be a surprise.”
She whips around as Jude barks out a laugh in the front.
That only makes her hazel eyes burn brighter with anger, and I would be far more worried about what trouble I was going to find myself in if pissing Eden off wasn’t a form of foreplay.
Besides, we have to be able to talk about it at some point.
I’m not a man that tiptoes around others, not even my wife. She’s tough enough to take it.
That’s why I arch my brow at her, giving her a smirk. “Am I wrong?”
“You’re an ass.”
“That’s not the worst you’ve ever called me.”
Her eyes narrow, but Jude turning off the main path draws her attention. This time, when she twists away, I slide closer. My body presses against hers as I drop my mouth to her ear. “You said you wanted more moments that felt right. This will be one of them.”
The car rolls to a stop at the edge of the training grounds.
We keep it tucked out of view around a hidden curve on the mountain, halfway between the compound and the city so it’s safe to be outside.
It’s heavily guarded, made up of several sprawling buildings, and in the center are the outdoor sparring rings.
I watch as Eden’s lips part, gaze taking everything in. Just like with the cages, excitement is already buzzing off her skin, her eyes bright even without an explanation. It’s like her body knows how much she loves being here even without the memory of her training all our guards daily for months.
“Come on,” I encourage. “Let me show you around.”
I push open the car door with a gloved hand, and she steps out without hesitation. Those closest to us glance in our direction, some smiling as they see my wife. She made herself a reputation here, but most everyone loved having her.
Catching her hand before she can walk off, I tug her back into my body. “There’s one thing you should know.”
Her head tips back, black curls cascading down her back. “What is that?”
“No one knows what happened.” I can’t stop myself from tracing my thumb along her jaw. “They think you took a small hiatus with me. It’s better if we keep it that way.”
“I can help you with names,” Jude says beside us. I hadn’t even realized he’d walked around the car to where we are. “Or any questions you have.”
“Or we can go home if it’s too much,” I offer. I don’t want her to feel like I’m forcing her. I know I pushed too hard when I first brought her home, so I try to give her the option of taking more time when I can.
But she wanted more pieces of herself. The cages and the training grounds were a huge part of her. They could be again, if she wanted. If she still wants to fight.
Eden shakes her head at me. “I want to be here.”
As she straightens, her body vibrating with anticipation, I almost laugh at the understatement. I try to tamp down how good it feels to see my girl acting like herself, but given the look Jude gives me, it’s written all over my face.
Not that I care. I’ll do anything for Eden.
Even if I haven’t told her, even if everything has changed, I love her more than the air in my lungs. And winning her over again has only made that feel more real.
Something I know Jude understands as he nudges me and starts toward the training grounds.