58. Bay
Bay
“Wait,” I stop Luca as I hear the car door open on his side. “Myko’s going to check the area,” I inform the brothers, and they sit back in their seats as Luca closes the door again.
“Myko?” Luca asks, but I ignore him, asking the Guardian to scan the area just like he did at the beach. They arranged to meet in some open field a bit outside Manhattan—neutral ground that neither of them controls, according to Pedro’s explanation.
Definitely a royal feast—there are at least twenty humans in the area. Myko growls with anticipation, and I wrinkle my nose in disgust. Are you planning to eat their flesh or their souls? What’s with that hungry growl? It sounds like Cora’s stomach when she skips lunch.
“Myko says there are at least twenty humans around,” I inform the brothers, looking out the window forward.
From our parked position, I can only see four men standing on the ash-covered ground, watching our car, clearly unsure of what we’re waiting for—I can see the tension in the right most man as he reaches behind his pants, preparing himself. Such cowards. Humans are so weird.
“How do you know?” Luca asks as he raises his phone to update Abert on Myko’s findings.
“Don’t ask me how it works, but Myko did the same thing at the beach. Thanks to him, we survived.” I clarify, and Pedro gives my hand a squeeze, thanking me as he adds, “That dragon saved all of our asses. I’d believe it. Stay alert.” He says and then looks at me.
“Shall we go?” he asks, waiting for my approval. His trust in me from the very start makes my heart race over something so small and simple. I nod, and the three of them open their doors.
Myko, I hope this time it won’t burn like it did last time. I don’t hide my concern over the terrible burning sensation I felt when he emerged from my chest.
Last time it burned because you fought me. Like I told you from the beginning—when you stop fighting me, our power will be one, and the burns won’t bother you.
I really hope you’re right because that pain was horrendous! I sigh and take Pedro’s hand as he waits for me to step out behind him. He supports me as I jump down from the high step of the SUV onto the ash-covered ground below us. This is the first time I’ve seen a place like this on land.
“What is this place?” I ask curiously as we walk cautiously toward the four men in the distance. If I weren’t wearing a black hoodie, I think even from here they’d be able to see the purple glow ready to burst from my chest at any moment.
“It’s a prep area for construction. They plan to build a new neighborhood here, and before starting, they have to level the ground.” He explains, not at all surprised by my strange questions.
I smile at him, not embarrassed to cling to his arm as we walk toward a mission that completely contradicts the good mood I’m in now. He glances at me with a questioning look but doesn’t hesitate to accept my touch.
“Pedro,” Luca’s voice cuts through the air, but he doesn’t turn to look at us. “Bay is the last resort. We’ll rely on your power first.” His command is clear and calculated, and Pedro seems satisfied with it, maybe even pleased.
Luca and Mariano reach behind their backs, gripping their guns. Pedro seems fully confident in his powers, as he doesn’t even bother to reach for his weapon.
“I didn’t get to see all the training you did with Alin, but that last strike you sent her way—that was one of the coolest things I’ve seen!” I whisper quietly, and he smirks proudly.
“A merman with electric powers is one of the sexiest things ever,” I add in a teasing whisper, watching him swallow hard.
“You realize we’re on a mission right now?” he murmurs back but doesn’t look at me.
“It’s nothing we can’t handle.” I dismiss him with a grin and continue scanning the area around us. I don’t see anyone here— can you tell me which direction they’re in? I ask Myko, feeling a hint of unease.
His growl reverberates in my mind, and by now I can tell his different tones—he’s focused.
Behind you! he suddenly says, and I quickly glance back without stopping my steps.
“What?” slips from my mouth, “How did we miss that?” I gasp.
We overlooked something so obvious—relying on our powers too much has dulled our field awareness.
Pedro immediately turns back too, cursing under his breath as his eyes lands on what I’m seeing. “It’s fine. It doesn’t change our plan. Luca, behind us.” He adds after a few seconds of what seems like him processing.
Luca and Mariano quickly glance back, their expressions unreadable as they turn forward again as if nothing happened.
Good thing you warned me in the car. Thanks. I exhale, wondering if I’m actually getting a bit too comfortable with Myko’s presence.
The line of cars parked behind our jeep glints in the sun as I glance back again, a large group of men standing near them, waiting for a command.
“It’s alright,” Pedro nudges me lightly with his shoulder, my hand still clutching his arm until now. “Like you said—it’s nothing we can’t handle.”
“I know,” I reply with a smile, still surprised that we hadn’t noticed it sooner.
“I’m just worried your brothers are relying too much on our powers now, and they’re not on high alert themselves.
” I bring my hand to my mouth, whispering to Pedro.
This isn’t something Luca or Mariano would want to hear.
“Trust me, if there’s anyone in this world who doesn’t know how to let their guard down, it’s Luca.” He reassures me as the brothers stop in front of us as we come face to face with the four men.
“Christian,” Luca greets the man in the middle with a handshake so cold, I probably would never take it.
“Let’s cut to the chase,” Christian says, not even considering shaking Luca’s outstretched hand. Instead, he boldly swats it away. I glance at Luca, who remains unfazed.
“I want Mariana back.” Christian stares intensely into Luca’s eyes, and I fail to hold back a chuckle. I still can’t understand the obsession everyone has with this one woman.
Christian’s gaze shifts to me before Luca can respond, and Pedro quickly steps in, pushing me behind him. “Keep your eyes on my brother or you’re dead,” he growls. His threat sends a shiver down my spine. He’s becoming a monster on missions, and I can’t deny how incredibly sexy that is.
Can you try to keep that vivid imagination of yours in check? It’s enough that I have to live with your… thoughts, Myko’s voice grumbles in my mind, making me blush.
Am I ever going to have any privacy? I hiss, but I already know the answer.
“What the hell is she doing here?” Christian snaps, eying me with suspicion.
His harsh words draw the brothers’ attention, and I quickly look up to meet Pedro’s gaze.
“Why is she making those faces? Don’t mess with me.
I know you people have powers,” he barks, aiming his gun at me.
In seconds, the scene shifts into a standoff, with Mariano and Luca drawing their guns and aiming back at him.
I break the tension, smirking. “Mariana is long dead.” I don’t flinch as I lay the truth bare. “And if you don’t put that gun down, you’ll join her soon.”
Since when did you become such a badass? Myko taunts me, and I snort.
I’ve got a reputation to live up to, don’t I?
Pedro smirks but signals me with his eyes to step back. Understood—he’s taking the lead.
“Mariana is dead,” Luca repeats, voice filled with menace. “But I’m curious… just how much do you know about these so-called ‘powers’ you mentioned?” Luca steps closer to Christian, his voice calm but dangerous, his posture commanding. Christian’s men don’t even twitch without his say-so.
“I know more than you think,” Christian replies, his fists tightening around the gun. “What happened to my men at the beach?”
Luca’s not here to entertain questions. “You want answers? Then answer me first. How did you find out about their powers? And who else knows?”
Christian’s composure starts to crack. “I know they’re…
mermaids. And that they can control water, or control people with their voices.
” He points behind us and adds, “The men I have posted back there? They’ve got enough tranquilizer darts to put you all down for days.
If Mariana’s not coming back, you’d better explain what happened to my men—and answer some questions yourselves. ”
None of us so much as flinch at his threat.
It’s clear they picked the wrong guy to lead their sorry excuse of an organization.
Pedro can’t hold back his arrogant smirk, and damn if it doesn’t look good on him.
“You think that’ll work on us? You tried once already, and it didn’t go your way… Are you sure you want to try again?”
I chuckle at Pedro’s words, but Luca cuts him off with a quick hand signal.
“Now, now,” Luca says almost playfully. “I’m happy to share some information, but you first. Who knows what, and how’d you learn it?” He almost sounds like a shark toying with its prey.
It’s clear they only know bits and pieces, maybe false intel Miguel fed them. They seem aware only of Alin’s abilities, which means Luca is mentally adding names to his hit list, making sure no one else learns of his wife’s powers.
“You think I’m stupid? I want answers first. Where are my men? What happened to them? There were Frenchmen there too, but you must already know that. Do you want a war with all of us? You’re not holding any advantage here,” Christian sneers.
Oh, but we are, I think to myself, reminded that they’re responsible for Miguel’s death. None of them are leaving here alive.
“Your men are on their way,” Luca says coolly. “My men are bringing them now.” Pedro and I exchange a shocked glance but regain our composure quickly. Who exactly is he bringing?
A sinking feeling settles in my gut, hoping it isn’t what I think. Bodies?
“What are you playing at?” Christian asks, signaling his men forward. In seconds, their guns are aimed squarely at me.