Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
ANITA
I never thought I would have a soft spot for another person again, but Krista was proving me wrong. She reminded me of Nova at that age. A fighter until the end despite the shit life threw at her. Which was why I found it hard to hand her over to our contact and walk away.
"Anita, you coming?" I didn't take my eyes off Krista to answer Sloane. The betrayal in Krista's eyes cut deep. She didn't want to be left with Mary even though the older woman would ensure Krista had a great life moving forward.
Mary was another gift from Hawk. She was the go-between for the people we rescued and the organizations who helped get them back on their feet. Hawk assured us Krista would be placed with a great family since she was orphaned before her capture.
"Yeah…" I finally looked away and followed my teammate back to the vehicle.
"I thought one of the rules was never to get attached."
It was, but Krista was different. I didn't know why or how she came to be, but the urge to protect her with my life was strong.
"Let Hawk know that I want a complete background and regular updates on Krista."
The young girl hadn't spoken a word since we left the burning house. She didn't cry or cling to us like most children would. There was a haunted look in her eyes that told a story of the nightmare her life was before she was sold to Hakan.
"Why?" Sloane challenged.
I hated being questioned. "Because it's what I want." I left it at that. I didn't need to explain myself.
"You don't need to snap at me. Usually killing someone makes you a smidge nicer."
Notice she didn't say happy. Nothing made me happy, but Sloane was right. I was normally in a much better mood after I killed a target. Krista's situation was throwing me off. That should be the first clue that I needed to drop her and forget she existed, but I couldn't do it.
"Let's just get back to the plane already." I slammed the vehicle door shut. I had shit to do. Including finding a way to get in contact with Mason. Maybe once I got him to talk, I would feel better.
Mary's house was in North Carolina. We had flown up from Florida with Krista and now needed to get back to Kentucky. We never stayed here too long. It could put Mary and everything she did in danger.
I kept to myself throughout the flight. Sloane and Nyx didn't even bother trying to talk to me. I figured I was giving off the “don't fuck with me” vibes. I hated taking my anger out on those closest to me, but I couldn't find it in me to give a shit right now.
I barely waited for the engines to shut off before I was pushing the cabin door open and exiting the plane.
"I'll be at my place if anyone needs me.
" I didn't stick around to find out if anyone heard me.
It wasn't like I could disappear and never be found again.
Our compound was wired to the extreme. Every step we took on the property was recorded.
It was just as much for our safety as it was to keep people out.
If my team wanted to, they could watch my every step.
Any other time, I found that comforting, but right now––when I wanted to be alone––it was suffocating.
Maybe a good workout would make me feel better.
I didn't have much hope that would be the case. Usually when I was in this kind of mood, only torturing someone helped.
I was going to chalk my bad attitude up to the fact that Hakan's death was too quick, and he didn't suffer long enough. Men like him deserved weeks of torture. Not mere minutes.
Halfway through unpacking my weapons, my phone alerted me to an incoming call. I sneered at the ringing phone. "This is becoming a habit," I snapped at Wes after hitting accept.
"I assure you, I have nothing but good news for you." We would see about that. I didn't answer though, causing Wes to sigh before he continued. "I sent you an address. Meet me there at oh nine hundred tomorrow."
"I don't take orders from you."
"Maybe not but you're going to want to follow this one."
Wes was smart enough to hang up before I could chew his ass out more. I glanced at the text. It was for an address in Nashville.
I might not take orders from Wes, but I was curious enough to know what I would find when I got there.
Just this once I would give Wes slack. One of two things would happen. I would be happy with the news or Wes would piss me off enough that I would strangle him with the slack I provided.
Only time would tell.