19. Amala
Nineteen
Amala
Ares was currently still on bed rest while we were tirelessly trying to find any other information on Dominion.
This seemed to be a recurring pattern.
Whenever we made progress, it would lead us absolutely nowhere.
There’d been reports on this exact case but it never reached the light of day because those case files had been discarded which again confirmed our suspicions of someone working on the inside.
This syndicate was responsible for drug trafficking, kidnapping, illegal distribution of firearms, and cold-blooded murder.
“We found articles dated back to November, 2006. The disappearance of an entire military unit has caused unrest amongst civilians.” I read the article aloud. “You’re telling me that Dominion led this operation and his entire task force was wiped out. Now he’s back?”
The agents in the bullpen looked at me, others working in the background, some entering and exiting.
Stephanie and Asher looked at me with laser focus. “That doesn’t make any sense. It’s been twenty years since this article was released. Is it just him? Did anybody else survive? What happened to that task force?”
“These are questions that we’ve been trying to find the answer to, Amala,” Nicolas said, rubbing his temples.
“What were the names of the Italian brothers?” I asked, despite knowing the answer.
“Enzo and Ian?” Nicolas answered, leaning against the desk with his arms folded across his chest.
“Yes, their surnames are Rossi, correct?”
“Yes,” Asher spoke, his tone wasn’t harsh but it was firm. My eyes flicked to his and I nodded.
“What’s the Director’s name?” I enquired, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jacket.
“Which director?” Asher asked, raising an eyebrow.
He stepped forward, standing at his full height now. No longer leaning against anything.
“The director of this department.”
Stephanie and Asher glanced at each other for a brief moment before looking at me again.
“Giovanni?”
“Giovanni who?” They shook their heads, the agents standing stiffly in their spots. Nobody moving or breathing.
“Giovanni Rossi.” The silence was loud in the bullpen, with the sounds of somebody typing on a keyboard in the background.
“What are you insinuating, Amala? If you’re going to make accusations about a director you’ll need to have evidence and your facts straight.” Asher said.
“I’m not making any accusations but that surely can’t be coincidental.”
I huffed. “We’ve all concluded that there’s a leak from the inside. Are you telling me the Rossi’s aren’t connected or related?”
“He’s been working for the Bureau for years, Amala,” Stephanie said, looking poised and composed as always. “We have no reason to believe that he has any involvement in this.”
“Unless proven otherwise.”
I retorted swiftly. My tone was still graceful and respectful but she’d no doubt deem it passive-aggressive.
“Rivera,” Asher warned and my eyes snapped to him. “My office. Now.”
I blinked slowly, releasing a soft breath through my nose but complied.
Following Asher to his office. He gestured for me to enter first and then closed the door with a soft click.
“You’re out of line.” He placed his hands on his hips, looking at me with a serious expression.
“I haven’t done or said anything wrong.”
He sighed, rubbing a palm over his face. “You might not have said anything but you’re being passive-aggressive.”
“Respectfully sir, I disagree. I’m simply making my observations.”
I challenged and his eyes narrowed. “Look me in my eye and tell me this doesn’t seem coincidental. I saw the way you and Stephanie looked at each other. Surely this exact thought has crossed your mind.”
He shook his head, scratching the stubble on his jaw.
“If it were Ares, you wouldn’t have hesitated to agree with him.”
He looked at me in disbelief, as if I insulted him. “That’s not true and you know it. I value your input but this is a line that’s difficult to cross. We’re going to be under fire if we accuse our director of foul play. Do you understand that?”
“I understand, sir but when we joined the Bureau we took an oath.”
I looked at him, waiting for anything. A nod of agreement. A blink. A sigh. Something.
“In life, all of our choices will have consequences. So what are we choosing today? Justice or avoidance?”
Asher dropped his hands to his sides, staring at me for a brief moment. “We’ll continue this conversation later.”
He said, clenching a fist. “Stephanie and I will need to sit down for this one before we make any drastic decisions.”
I nodded, turning around to exit his office. “Rivera,”
I paused, my hand hovering on the door handle. “You’re a commendable agent and I don’t ever want you to doubt that.” I looked down at my boots for a few seconds but didn’t say anything.
Seconds passed before I spoke. “Thank you, sir.” I turned the handle, exited his office, and returned to the bullpen with a heavy heart and a nagging conscience.
Friday evening crawled out of the depths of despair rather slowly and sank its claws into my veins.
After I’d been avoiding Gabriella and Kehlani for the past few days, I allowed the weekend festivities to persuade me into the endless possibilities of the night.
All my heart desired was the indulgence of alcohol.
Normally it would be for leisure but tonight it was simply to forget.
To forget about every single thing happening at work, in my personal life, and with someone who I shouldn’t even have been thinking about in the first place.
The lights in the club were dim, red hues covering every surface in the crowded space.
I stepped into the crowd, squeezing past drunk people just so I could reach the bar. “Vodka shots please. Two.”
I signalled to the bartender who nodded and pushed two shot glasses in my direction before filling them with the alcoholic liquid.
Almost immediately I downed both, hissing as the liquid travelled to the depths of my stomach.
Leaving behind a burning sensation.
A trail of heat that seeped into my organs and skin.
Why did I wake up every night in a cold sweat after nightmares of Ares bleeding out in front of me?
Better yet, why did the thought of him bleeding out bother me so much?
After requesting several more shots and two cocktails, I finally felt the effects of the liquor.
The music turned into a warped sound that forced me to the dance floor.
My feet moved before my brain could comprehend anything and my body moved on its own accord.
The vicinity was filled with people but for some reason I’ve never felt lonelier.
I allowed the melody to control me, fully immersing myself in the upbeat tune.
I’ve always followed the rules, always tried to be the best at everything I ever did.
Having dealt with a mother who constantly sought male validation after my father left and who resented me because I looked like him, I knew that wasn’t the life I wanted for myself.
I suppose it was the reason behind my aversion towards men.
Now I found myself feeling something other than hatred towards a man whom I’ve loathed since the day I met him.
With no logical explanation for how I ended up in this predicament in the first place.
At this point I was too far gone to care about the fact that someone slid their hands up my hips and was dancing too close to me, practically pressing their body flush against mine.
If I’d been in the right state of mind I would’ve knocked their teeth out of their fucking mouth but right now?
I welcomed the distraction.
Gripping it with both hands, in hopes that it would steer my mind in the complete opposite direction.
The music felt like a warm embrace and I happily allowed it to consume me wholly.
For the first time in years, I allowed myself to be completely free.
No self-control.
No discipline.
No thoughts of Ares, a case that seemed to eat me alive every waking day, and a life that constantly seemed to throw curveballs at me from every direction.