Page 39 of Betraying Bexley

“It was fair and square. We didn’t steal it. The fight was the three of us against three of them. If we won, we got the car. If they won, it was a free for all for them.”

“That was irresponsible,” Asher chided. “You put not only yourselves at risk, but you also put Bex and this team at risk.”

“So, are you saying you doubt our ability to protect Bex and the team? Are you saying we’re not good enough?” Alé sat a little straighter. “Are you saying I needlessly put my fellow team members at risk as well?”

"Kid, you got a set of fucking balls on you, talking to me like that. Most people never walk out of this room after doing that shit." Asher stood, placing his hands on his hips. "I also don't give those who disrespect me second chances."

“Homie, you won’t get a second chance with me either.” Alé clasped his hands in front of him. “I’ll put it this way. All of the adults meant to protect Bex have failed. I failed not being able to stop the incident in the cafeteria. But, unlike you guys, we’re being proactive.”

Asher blew out a breath. “It’s harder for us to do anything in this situation.”

“You think it’s not hard for us? To watch her be abused day in and day out? Have you stopped to think about what that’s like? I mean, the one who has seen it the most is Mr. Aquino. At least when something happens, he tries to get to her.”

“I wish I could do more,” Mateo whispered. “They’re right Asher. It’s... You’d have to be there a full week to experience everything in a school setting.”

“Hey, old man,” Eito said, staring a hole through Asher. “Did you know before she ended up at the house, she wasn’t eating well?”

“Fuck.” Noah scrubbed his face. “Has anyone brought her food since last week?”

“Kind of hard,” Alé said, “when she doesn’t want anyone to know where she lives. It was hard enough for you guys to do it without being caught.”

“Which means she’s fucking starving,” Jacolbi added. “Any of you know what it feels like to be that hungry? What it means to ration food? Bet none of you do. Bet none of you have ever been on this side of it.”

AJ raised her hand while Scotty cut a death glare at Jacolbi while he spoke. “We do. We’re foster kids. We get it. It’s why you’re here and why we’ll bring her whatever she needs, even if it is in the middle of the night.”

“Yeah, well, we’re running out of time. The moving parts are shifting quicker than we can find the right kind of locks to fix it.” Alé shook his head. “Every time we shore up one side of the shit pile, another side caves and we have to do it again.”

“So, besides the fight did you find out anything else out before we continue with the meeting?” Asher crossed his arms.

“We did. We have a few reoccurring charges to or from an account called OPUS. Maybe we could get Bex to help us, without her knowing what she’s looking at. After all, the information we’re looking for is in Bex’s brain.” Alex shrugged. “Bronx has been using her hacking skills to go through everything she can find, however, she’s burned out rebuilding Bex’s leg, even if she won’t tell us.”

Alé noticed it too. Bronx had a bad habit of trying to whatever task she’d been assigned in one setting. It meant long hours, tons of coffee, and when she was done, sleeping hours on end. She also had an issue with having no drive to do anything else. Like Alex said, burn out. But, telling her to be easy about it, wouldn’t go over well either. Bronx had a single-minded determination, Alé liked and hated.

“Is Bex staying with you full time now then?” Mateo asked.

Alé shook his head. “I doubt it. As much progress as we’ve made, I have a feeling she still doesn’t want us to know the truth about her dire circumstances.”

“Is there anything else you’ve found out?” The FBI agent, Duncan Frazier, who didn’t quite fit the picture of what an agent should look like, stared at Alé. Since the minute he joined them he hadn’t said a word, he’d been content to sit back and absorb the information Alé had for them.

“Did anyone fill him in?” Alé motioned to Duncan.

Asher shook his head. "He's had his shit to deal with."

“Last week, Bex was attacked at school. Her wrist was broken again and so was her prosthetic.”

“Son of a bitch.” Duncan sat forward, placing his hands on the table. “Is she okay?”

“Compared to? I mean, if you’ve been paying attention, they came at her again today.” Alé shook his head. “Here is what we know as of now.” Alé nodded to Asher and the lights went out. On the projection screen, two photos. One was of Marybeth in her school uniform and the other was of her at some ranch. “Her name is Marybeth Gunther. She is the granddaughter of Anderson Gunther.”

Duncan sat forward. “Do you think the attacks are connected?”

“No,” Noah answered. “It fits too perfectly, don’t you think?”

Duncan shrugged. "In the beginning maybe, however, it would make sense on how Pueblo found out where Bex is."

Alé scrubbed his chin. “There is a ring of truth there. The easiest way to get to the competition is to go at the weakest link. His kid, luring Raul into the trap.”

“Or her bodyguards. Offer enough money and incentives, they’d look the other way,” Duncan said.

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