Hades
Seventy-Four
My father wanted to talk to me, wanted to yell at me, more like, but honestly, I didn’t want to hear it. Yes, I was dating a Viper. I was smitten with her, and I wanted more. Which was why lying to her about what I was doing felt like more of a betrayal as I walked into Zade’s lair.
“Hey Z,” I chimed, announcing my presence. “I need your help, but you can’t let anyone know, especially not my father.”
“Oh, secrets. Let’s go!”
I chucked and shook my head. “I need you to hack into the security systems in Briarwood without being traced back here. And I need you to try and find the owner of this number.”
He leaned forward, his eyes narrowed and glaring at me. “What war are you trying to start? That is treading on the edge of…well I don’t know what, but it’s close to something. Why am I doing this?”
I pursed my lips. I liked it better when Zade didn’t question everything I did.
“Because I need to find someone. You remember when I asked you about Rory?” He nodded.
“Well, her sister is missing, and I want to find her. So please stop asking questions and show me what you got. She vanished from the pier a couple weeks ago, so if you can hack into the security system and see if you can find anyone or look for anything suspicious, that’d be great. ”
“I expect a payout for this shit.” He frowned, a contemplative expression in his eyes before a slight smirk graced his lips. “But I have always wanted to see how techy the Vipers were.”
“I got you, now find something useful.”
Zade got to work typing away on his computer as I watched him.
On one screen he filtered through PO boxes addressed to Cinder, online chatrooms, etc.
, and on the other computer, he pulled up security footage.
I already knew it would take a while to find a needle in a haystack, but Zade was a beast with a computer.
My phone vibrated, and it was my girl.
RORY
I miss you.
*Picture attached*
Jesus take the goddamn wheel. Rory was in a hot pink lace babydoll that looked magnificent against her curves. She was in front of my full body mirror with her legs spread and one hand palming her breast. I was one lucky son of a bitch, because this woman was everything I wanted in life.
“Hey, stop sexting your girlfriend and look.”
I jumped, quickly locking my phone before I focused back on the computers.
Zade had pulled up footage from the pier the day Cinder was taken.
He paused the video when Rory’s stalker came on screen carrying an unconscious Cinder over his shoulder.
Zooming in was pointless with the mask hiding his eyes while he avoided the cameras.
This person was skilled enough to keep his identity shielded.
ME
Did you have footage of Cinder getting taken?
VESPER
Melisa pulled it already. We were dealing with bodies, politics, and everything else. She finally had a chance to show us everything.
“Did you see anything when he was there beforehand or anything prior? Like any strange people?” I asked him.
“I’ll keep looking and keep you updated.”
ME
There was a man on the pier when Cinder was taken.
VESPER
Did you see his face?
ME
I’ll let you know
There was nothing here. This bastard was smart, and knew where the cameras were. Did Cinder have someone in Briarwood who would betray her or who was obsessed with Rory?
My phone vibrated, and it was my dad. He was being bitter because of my relationship status and the fact that I went onto “enemy” territory, breaking a treaty. “I guess I’m gonna go see dear ole Dad so he can yell at me.”
Zade lifted his cup. “Good luck. I’ll let you know if I find anything. Also, the next deposit is in a week. Another donation will be made.”
“Beautiful. Thank you, Zade.”
“I’ll have the number for you hopefully in a couple of days. I’ll keep you updated with what I find.”
My father was in his office, thankfully without Luke. After the issue with Otis, Luke had made himself and his people scarce in the clubhouse, like the little bitch he was.
“You finally decided to come home?”
I glared at him as I sat on the corner of his desk. “Don’t act like that.”
“What’d you expect from me? You vanished for days at a time. I never know where you are anymore.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “First off, I am grown. Second, you have my location.”
“Haven, I need you to understand the danger.”
I took a deep breath. I knew he wanted me to be safe, but I could protect myself from rapist scum. “I do love you, Dad. Don’t think I don’t, ‘cause I do. But nothin’ happened. I am safe. I was with my girl.”
His jaw tightened. “I don’t like you datin’ a Viper.” He attempted to make his tone sound playful, but I knew he hated this.
I laughed. “Well that’s too damn bad. She’s in my bed now, and I’m fixin’ to abandon you to go home to her.”
His demeanor shifted. “You brought a Viper here? Haven Mykel.”
“Don’t Haven Mykel me, Axel James.”
“If Cinder—”
I didn’t want to tell him she was possibly dead. “She won’t cause any trouble, I promise. I like her, Dad, like a lot. I ain’t gonna lose her over a feud. I won’t lie, couldn’t care less what happens ‘cause I’ll have her, and Rory feels the same.”
“I don’t like it, but if you’re safe, then I’m fine with it for now.”
“Thank you. Where’s Luke?”
He rubbed his temples. “He is at the port.” He didn’t have to explain anymore. “I think I’m done after this. Your pops is turning in his grave.”
“Yeah. Tell ‘em to leave. I’m gonna be okay. We are gonna be okay. We’ll have help, Dad. Rory will make sure of it.”
He grabbed my hand, giving me a reassuring squeeze. “I can’t lose you, Haven. Your parents were my best friends, and I never thought I’d be a dad, but here you are. The greatest blessin’ I ever had.”
“Hey now, old man, you're gettin’ emotional on me. You and Daddy taught me how to shoot before I could even tie my shoelaces. I can take care of myself, don’t you worry. I’m not that little girl anymore.”
“Newsflash, sweet pea—you’ll always be my little girl, even when you’re fifty and pushing me around in a wheelchair.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too. I’ll tell Luke to leave Crestview next time I see him.”
I walked out of my dad’s office and made my way towards the exit. There was a gorgeous woman waiting for me in my bed. It was like she knew I was thinking about her, because my phone rang with her new ringtone.
“Rory, I’m on my wa—”
“Hades, someone’s trying to break in.”
I grabbed my keys out of my pocket and raced out of the clubhouse.
“I’m almost home, baby.” I was eternally grateful I decided to install bulletproof windows in my Camaro.
My dad said I was paranoid, but I told him I was a single woman with enemies.
The only reason I had enemies was because I didn’t take shit from men.