Page 53 of Deadfall

I laughed and saw his lips finally twitch in that way I knew was him attempting to hide his amusement. His scowl was a bit lighter now too. Mission accomplished.

“Fine, fine. But, jealousy looks really good on you, G,” I teased.

He responded with his middle finger and I grinned the rest of the way to our next assignment.

27

EMERSYN

I must have dozed off because when I woke up, Griffin was gone. Above me, the atrium was covered with glistening droplets that caught the pale grey of dawn and streaked down the glass like falling stars. I shivered, thankful for the warmth of the almost humid air inside this place. Footsteps grew in volume from down the path, and Brooks appeared with a nameless guard I didn’t know behind him. I hadn’t seen him since the day he’d tied me up on the beach.

“Morning, Hurricane,” Brooks said.

I stood up and flipped him the bird.

Brooks smirked. “So pleasant. Step to the gate.”

I thought it was funny he wasn’t going to come in. I took a few steps toward the gate and when I got closer, I noticed Brooks sported a gnarly bruise on his jaw. It was exactly where I’d landed a kick on my mystery assaulter.

“Rough night?” I drawled.

Brooks’ expression faltered, but he ignored the comment. It didn’t matter, that was enough confirmation for me.

“Wrists,” he ordered.

“Field trip?”

“Something like that,” Brooks said. “Come on, I don’t have all day.” I had no desire to be drugged again, so I stepped closer to the bars and held out my wrists.

“Just so long as it’s not to the beach,” I muttered.

He chuckled darkly. “Nah, boss man wants to see you.”

“It’s about time.”

“Careful what you wish for. I’d consider yourself lucky he had to fly out again right after the guard rotation intake. Bought you a few extra days.”

That sounded particularly ominous, and I was about to ask more questions about it when Brooks cinched the cuffs tighter than he needed to.

My jaw clenched and he sneered. “Too tight?”

I bared my teeth in a grin. “Just right actually.”

“Let’s go, smart ass.”

He unlocked the gate and grabbed my arm. My fingers itched to wrap themselves around Brooks’ neck in retribution, and I almost reacted. I easily could have done some damage since he’d cuffed my wrists in front instead of behind. But, I behaved—mostly because I was curious. I needed more information and the easiest way to do that was to cooperate. For now.

I’d hoped we would head into the main part of the manor, but instead Brooks and the other guard led the way outside. The weather was cold, drizzly and grim. I was thankful for the sweatshirt when the wind cut across the grounds. Brooks dragged me down a path, and it took only a moment to realize we were headed back to the underground cell. My lips thinned in displeasure, but when I glanced at the other guard, he palmed a small black device that I assumed was for the electrical chip in my shoulder. He looked ready to use it. But, it wasn’t the device that stopped my attempts at escape. It was the fact that I was on an island I knew very little about. It didn’t help that it was also midmorning. I pursed my lips—the timing was off. I just needed to be patient a little longer.

Once we were below ground, the temperature dropped. Brooks shoved me ahead of him into a cell and locked my cuffs to a chain that ran up along a beam in the ceiling. He left enough slack that my hands rested near my head.

When he stepped aside, a man stood in the doorway. It could only be Mahoney. As far as bad men went, he certainly looked the part. He wore a tailored grey suit and coordinated tie, with silver cuff links that glinted as he raised a cigar to his lips. Everything about him screamed control, and he regarded me with the calculated air of someone who ruled over his domain with excruciating attention to detail.

“Where’d she get the sweatshirt?”

The question seemed to catch Brooks off guard. “A few of the guards have taken a liking to her already, sir,” he answered hesitantly.

Mahoney didn’t respond, but his jaw tightened ever so slightly. He stepped into the room with predatory grace and stood brazenly close. I stared at his immaculately polished shoes until cool fingers slid under my chin and our gazes collided.