Page 64 of Reclaimed

“And nobody’s taken it?” I ask, pushing to stand and trading him spots. Thankfully, it’s just the two of us in the Compound’s training gym, so we can speak freely.

“It’s an open bounty, first to bring her in gets the payout….” He trails off as he takes his phone back, slipping it into the pocket of his shorts.

I cut him a glare, his insinuation setting my teeth on edge.

Not a fucking chance.

“What’s your plan, then?” he questions, rocking back on the bench and reaching up to grip the bar. “Miller’s dad is still out for blood, randomly pulling guys in for interrogation. It’s only a matter of time before–”

“Nothing,” I cut in, posture stiffening. “They can’t prove shit.”

“Maybe not…” Slade rolls his eyes, starting in on his set. “But having a government Asset in your possession is a huge fucking red flag for other crimes.”

I grunt, cutting him another glare.

She’s not just an Asset, she’s a fucking person. And while Jersey may not technically belong to me, she doesn't belong to them, either. Not really. And now that I’ve decided to claim her for myself, the last thing I’ll allow is for her to be dragged back into The Registry for their own corrupt and perverted gain.

I’m the only one who gets to fucking touch her now. Her pain, her pleasure, every desperate moan– it’s all mine.

“Listen, shithead,” Slade sighs, re-racking the bar and sitting up. “The way I see it, you’ve got two choices.”

I cock a brow. “Those are?”

“Turn her in, take the money, and go back to how things were. The monster for hire. Or…” he pauses, running a hand through his shaggy brown hair.

“Or?” I prompt.

He levels me with a knowing stare. “Or, you get the fuck out of here like you’ve been wanting to do since the day you started building that cabin in the middle of fucking nowhere.”

There it is.

I shouldn’t be surprised that he knew my endgame all along. Slade’s perceptive like that. Getting away from fucking Northbrooke, The Registry, and every bullshit and asinine thing it stands for has always been my retirement plan.

I’ve worked around the clock for the past nine years, pouring almost every dollar I made into making the cabin an off-grid oasis. I could’ve probably called it quits a year ago and disappeared out there, but instead, I’ve continued grinding. I guess it was just easier to put it off and keep the project going, because if I leave– if I’m no longer a Repo man– then who the hell am I? Every time I try to consider the answer to that question, something dark and ugly curdles inside me, voices from my childhood resurfacing to remind me that I’ll never truly fit in anywhere or amount to anything.

“You think you can get rid of me that easily?” I joke, pulling my shirt back on, the fabric catching on my sweaty torso.

Slade sighs, clapping a hand down on my shoulder. “Look, man. You’re the brother I never fucking wanted, but I’ve grown to tolerate you. And as much spare time as I’ll have from not helping your ass, I’ll probably still miss you.”

I scoff at him, his lips tugging up in a grin.

“But,” he continues, “maybe now it’s your turn to get stuck with some annoying stray left over from an assignment.”

I snort, shaking my head. “That simple, huh? Just walk out and hope no one notices?”

“Well, no. If you drop off the face of the earth, shit will definitely hit the fan around here. But there are plenty of mercs coming in from probation that could use more assignment opportunities, rather than some bored fuck nabbing every request on Exchange because he doesn’t have a life.”

I roll my eyes.

“And I know a guy who’s a fucking expert with tech shit,” he adds, wagging his brows. “With his skills, it’d be easy to shift things around, help dig the grave to bury all this in.”

I stare back at him, considering whether I could actually do it. Turn my back on everything I’ve ever known and leave it all behind. The thought of it has never been quite so enticing before. Rather than feeling like surrender, it feels like a fresh start, my pulse kicking with excitement.

I nod, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “Thanks, man,” I say, voice gone rough. “For everything.”

Slade knocks his fist into mine. “About time you fuckin’ thanked me for always bailing your ass out.”

I frown back at him, unamused.