Ember
WAKE UP - ARCADIA FIRE
“In this morning’s breaking news… The capital’s terror threat remains at its highest level as authorities assess the explosion in London’s Canary Wharf. Details are limited at this time…”
A crash echoes when I lob the old-fashioned radio directly into the brick wall. The mechanism shatters, sending plastic flying everywhere. My filthy surroundings aren’t worsened by the extra dousing of broken crap to complete the abandoned, haunted house aesthetic.
I’ve slept in my fair share of shit holes. Doesn’t bother me. But the remains of a disused liquor distillery on the outskirts of Wandsworth is a new experience, not to mention the family of rats living in discarded barrels and rusted machinery that act as our new roommates.
“Ember! Em!”
“Yeah, in here.”
My backside smarts where I slump on the bottom step of the metal staircase leading to the next level. That’s where Warner finds me, screeching to a stop through a sagging door that hangs off its hinges.
“What was that noise?”
“Me losing patience.” I don’t bother trying to hide the misery from my voice.
“Almost gave me a heart attack. Are you okay?”
“How could any of us be okay right now?”
Exhaling, he finds a path over to me through scattered wooden crates and dust-covered bottles, doomed to never reach the supermarket shelves. Honestly, this entire bolthole feels like a graveyard. Kinda fitting really.
“We’re alive.” He sinks onto the step beside me, his arms hanging like dead weight at his sides. “The same can’t be said for a lot of people caught up in the explosion.”
“Exactly! People are dead!”
“You think I don’t know that?”
“Then why are we hiding here like fucking cowards, running from the fight?”
“What fight?” His chest expands in a slow, strained lift. “Our home is gone. Sabre is compromised. Our own fellow agent has betrayed us all. Sitting here is the only goddamn thing we can do right now.”
“I refuse to believe that’s true.”
“What else would you have me do, Em?”
“Fucking anything!”
I want to scream and rave like a madwoman as he slides an arm around me. We’re both shaking. I don’t think I’ve stopped since our penthouse blew up in a spectacular display of failure. Nor when we were evacuated to Blaine’s last hiding place and ordered to lay low overnight.
“I can’t do this anymore. We’ve lost everything.”
“We haven’t lost each other.” He nuzzles into my shoulder.
“What about all the innocent lives, dead because we can’t close a case?”
“It’s not for lack of trying, love. This beast is bigger than all of us. Madden’s savagery… it’s beyond anything we’ve ever encountered.”
“Then how do we stop him?” The question tears from my throat.
“By holding our nerve.”
Warner rests his head against mine, cuddling me close as my energy wanes. I’m too drained to hold back the frustrated river of tears. Anguish, grief and horror wage war behind my breastbone, leaving every last ugly emotion to pour out.
Kyle’s betrayal was one thing. He never got over his teammate’s death. But selling us out to Nolan Madden? Exposing the location of our home and killing innocent people to send a message? It flies against every last principle we believe in.
He worked for Sabre.
Bled for it. Fought for it.
In the end, the temptation of violence still won. I understand that thirst for revenge. God, do I know how powerful it is. The way it warps your brain tissue and poisons every living cell until all you want is to hurt the entire world.
But launching a full-scale offensive with civilian lives caught in the crossfire has blindsided us all. While London burns and the public reels in front of their televisions, I’m stuck here without the opportunity to lash out at the evil that’s infected our lives.
“Let it all out.” Warner rubs soothing circles on my arm.
“We can’t even protect ourselves!”
“It’s safe here for now. We need to await further orders. The city’s on fire, Em. We’re not the only ones running for our lives.”
“But it’s our job to end this.” I swipe at my wet cheeks.
“And we will. I made a promise that I intend to keep.”
Before long, my tears expire, morphing into boiling rage that rots me from the inside out. When I shrug free from his embrace, Warner watches me rise, accepting the hand up I offer to take the brunt off his prosthetic.
“I need to do something; I can’t just sit here.”
“Ember…”
“Where are the others? Maybe Blaine will spar with me.”
“He’s outside guarding the perimeter with the last of his men.” Warner drags a hand over his salt-and-pepper head. “Pretty sure he’s deciding whether or not to cut them loose.”
“What?”
“Not sure how trusting he’s feeling, despite what they say in their favour. There have been too many betrayals, too much hurt. Frankly, I don’t trust anyone outside of our team.”
If the news is to be believed, neither does anyone else. Law enforcement is scrambling to keep the public at bay. No one knows why our apartment building was targeted. If they did, Sabre would soon come under fire.
Part of me thinks it’s only a matter of time until the truth comes out. Large-scale explosions in one of the city’s busiest areas with human casualties and no warning tend to have that effect.
“Why take such a bold step?” I shake my head in dismay. “Striking his son’s illegal operation is one thing. Detonating a public building? Slaughtering strangers on the street like cattle?”
Warner hitches a muscled shoulder. “Power makes men do unthinkable things.”
“That isn’t power; it’s madness!”
“Madden’s desperate to regain his empire, no matter the human cost.”
“Starting a gunfight in broad daylight sure is desperate.”
The level we’re standing on is deserted with nothing but old bottle-filling machines and a few dusty crates. I listen for the hum of the others talking, but Warner snatching my wrist forces my attention back to him.
“Em, we’ll end this. One way or another.”
“What if we can’t win?” I dare to vocalise the fear that’s suffocating me.
“I’ve been backed into a corner more times than I can count in this job. The last thing you’ll see me do is give up on the case or our family.”
“Warner—”
“Do you trust me?”
“It’s not about trust.”
“Answer. Do you trust me?”
His widened baby blues implore me, deeper than the furthest depths of the ocean floor. Crushing gravity drags me into the darkness, beyond human exploration.
“Of course. Always.”
“Then trust us to see this through. Trust our team. Our strength. And our resolve.”
“How can you be so sure?” My breath sputters and fails.
He smiles, totally drained but as reassuring as ever. “Because I have the best reason in the world to fight for the future I want. And love? You’re it.”
Surrounded by the discarded remnants of a time long past, the boy I’ve spent decades loving tugs me close to lay a sweet kiss on my lips. The sort of kiss the teenage version of me dreamt about receiving, year after year.
I allow myself to melt into the velvety cushion fastened onto my mouth. Tender and coaxing, he entreats my compliance with touch alone, soothing the jagged edges of my breakdown without saying another word.
Fragrant patchouli and fresh pine ensnare my senses. Even in our current states, his scent clings to him, carrying me back to memories of the home we lost. Only it still exists. In his arms is the one place I can glimpse that reassuring place again.
I press myself against his firm body, needing more contact. Hip bones aligned. Feet planted. Arms coiling around his neck so I’m close enough to feel the pounding of his heart, ready to tear from his skeleton at a moment’s notice.
“Em.” My name is a moan, low in his throat.
“If I’m supposed to be thankful we’re still alive, show me why.”
“Right here?”
“I don’t need romance and roses, Warner. I never did. All I’ve ever wanted is to be yours.”
He searches my face, incisive and steadfast. “I’ve always belonged to you.”
“And I’m glad I know that now.”
“I should’ve told you years ago. We wasted so much time, love.”
Pecking his stubble-circled mouth, I rock my pelvis into his. “Then let’s not waste any more.”
Our lips seal together tighter than a closed tomb. When his tongue swipes out to seek entrance, I open up to him, greedy for more. The wet, dominant force brings me one step closer to the relief I desperately need.
Warner’s palm cradles the back of my skull, locking me in a trap I’m all too happy to be in. He can plunder the darkest recesses of my soul, and I’d still thank him for the privilege. I need him. His touch. His steady, unshakeable faith that all will be well.
Something hard collides with my spine when I’m frogmarched backwards, the hardness tenting his cargos effectively pinning me. He’s aligned perfectly with my core. Even through our clothes, I can sense every last throbbing inch begging to be unleashed.
“I need to sink myself inside your perfect cunt,” he growls breathlessly.
“Please. I want you.”
“All yours, love. Now and forever.”
His other hand clasps around my wrists, raising them above my head to be locked against the wall. I could break the hold easily, but the power move shoots liquid need straight through my veins.
Held in place, Warner rocks into me, delivering each pump through panted breaths. My nipples tighten into electric prods underneath my long-sleeved tee. If he doesn’t stop teasing me, I might just implode.
“Please,” I whine again.
“Will you be this needy for the rest of our lives?”
“Yes.”
His tongue snakes over my lips. “Good. I love it.”
I’m prepared to climb him like a tree and take exactly what I want when somewhere behind us, a throat clears loudly. Warner hides his face in my neck with a long sigh while I look over his shoulder.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Blaine leans against the handrail. “But there are nicer accommodations for whatever it is you’re doing here.”
“Since when?” I frown.
“We have a temporary living space upstairs.”
At that, Warner perks up. “Where?”
“For the right price, I’d be willing to show you.”