Page 24 of Torment
“What,” Maverick questions carefully, “did you do?”
I’ll fix it. There is no other option. I know my terror, and I know she’s hurt. But I also know there’s no way she’s going to let me get away with it either.
“Made Ashlynn realize something she never wanted to admit.”
He slaps me on the back twice then squeezes my shoulder.
“Good. Now fix it before my wife buries you in the mountains and makes me help.”
I nod. Looking around the room, everyone watches me carefully. “If you all like your eyes where they are, I suggest we get back to the meeting.”
They continue their side bar conversations, waiting for Maverick to speak again.
“Alright,” he starts. “Show times over. I need four more bodies in Rapture until further notice.” Everyone watches him as he searches the room.
“Declan, Levi, Owen and Kellen.”
The four men step forward, ready. All four in their late twenties, but all of them have prior experience in the casino scene. They came in with some of the men Michael knew from the east coast.
“Come with us to the booth. The rest of you, have a good shift.” He turns without waiting. They follow him silently to thesurveillance booth, Cole and I behind them. They file into the room, boots heavy against the floor. The space is already too small, adding four more bodies makes the air feel thinner. Slater and Jeremy turn in their seats, nodding in welcome at each of the newcomers.
Declan posts up against the back wall, arms crossed, eyes already scanning the monitors. Levi leans forward, hands braced on the desk, jaw tense like he’s holding in questions he's not sure he should ask. Owen stays quiet, observant, shoulders loose but alert.
Kellen doesn’t move much at all. He watches. Not the screens, but the five of us.
Interesting.
Maverick steps into the center, his commanding presence settling over the room.
“As you know, four people have gone missing from this casino since the grand opening.” Slater draws everyone’s attention to the footage from the parking garage the day that girl went missing.
“Now it’s five. We believe Rapture is a hunting ground,” Maverick continues. “I want constant watch, rotating coverage andzeroblind spots. If someone sneezes wrong, I want to know before they reach for a tissue.”
They huff in quiet understanding.
I move forward to the wall of monitors, forcing my attention there instead of where it keeps trying to escape to. Instead of a loft across town. Instead of copper hair and defiant blue eyes.
Focus.
Maverick starts assigning zones, and Slater walks them through the layout, camera angles, access points and emergency exits. They listen. They learn. Kellen asks questions, but not too many. Just enough.
“Who has override?”
“Are there any blind spots?”
Efficient. Useful.I like him.
“Anything else?” Mav asks, met with silence.
Good.
“The club opens at six, last call is at two,” he explains. “Go home, get some rest. Meet us back here around four.”
They all nod in understanding then turn to leave. I feel the machine tightening. Safer, more controlled. Better, and still…something under my skin refuses to settle.
“Hold up,” I say. My voice isn’t loud, it doesn't need to be. Their steps halt, and the room goes silent. Even the hum of the computers feels like it lowers its volume.
I turn slowly. Declan’s posture locks. Levi straightens. Owen lifts his chin. Kellen doesn't move, but he’s listening.
