Page 48 of Darling Wildfire
Atlas sent his own target out then turned to me. “North is a complicated man who does things based on his own moral code. He’s arrogant, ruthless, violent and by all accounts a sociopath—but, he is a relentless and dedicated leader, loyal and protective to the ones he’s claimed as his own, and he’s saved my life so many times, even if I didn’t need this as much as him, I’d still be by his side.”
I nodded. “That’s what I’m starting to see. And I admire him for that. I just wished he’d be more forthcoming.”
“He will, in his own time,” Atlas said.
22
KAELIN
I was still so angry at Theron and Graham that I’d told them I needed a few days.
I didn’t understand why they couldn’t just tell me what was going on. Theron was right when he said I didn’t want to think about it—but that was when it was just harmless death threats. I only meant I didn’t want to think about the ‘what ifs.’ This was definitely beyond that now and I wanted to know what caliber threat we were dealing with.
Obviously, this was some long standing vendetta between Theron and one of his enemies—I gathered that much—but I also was hurt that he hadn't asked me for help. I was the CTO of a fucking military company for god’s sake. I know Theron had power and money and plenty of resources, but I always imagined the three of us tackling any enemy together—not me being locked away like some sex slave.
I guess I still harbored some insecurities about the Warren. Sometimes I wondered if he really wanted to be with me or if he still believed I was his property. I liked to think that wasn’t the case, but now I wasn’t so sure.
Theron had now left me twice without telling me what was going on and each time hurt worse. It didn’t help that each time he seemed on the verge of trying to put into words how he really felt about me but fell short each time.
I wasn’t about to help him figure it out.
We were adults and if we couldn’t express how we felt about each other, I didn’t want that kind of relationship. I was down for unconventional, but communication was universal and I needed at least that. So far, we were falling drastically short in that department.
I sat at my desk in my office. It was nearly ten o’clock at night and the other offices were dark. Maeve had gone home hours ago and I just couldn’t bring myself to drive home. Nyx had been great the last few days but I missed my house not being overrun by Theron’s men. Not to mention, now I didn’t feel safe in my home again, a feeling I hadn’t felt in some time.
I sighed, I really should get going, I wasn’t going to sleep here, that would be silly.
I tapped my phone, debating on whether I should call the guys and end my silent treatment. Maybe I would just call and hear their voice—that was harmless right?
I dialed Graham.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said. His deep voice washed over me, making me smile. I heard gunfire in the background.
“Hi,” I said. “Are you at the range?”
“Yeah, at Alpha One,” he said. “Still at work?”
Of course he knew where I was. “Yeah, just leaving actually.”
I gathered my things and headed for the elevators.
“How’s Lachlan?” I asked as the elevator descended.
“He’s doing well, except for the fact he’s refusing to rest,” Graham said with a chuckle. “But Doc says th—” The phone went dead.
“Graham?”
I looked at the screen. The call had dropped.
I tried calling him again as the elevator passed the tenth floor but the call wouldn’t go through. With a ding, the elevator opened into the lobby and I walked out, still messing with my phone. I tried to send a text, but the message went through green and said undelivered.
I’d just rounded the corner of the elevator hallway when the night lights abruptly cut off, casting the entire lobby into darkness. If it wasn’t for the massive two-story wall of windows facing the front street, I wouldn’t have been able to see anything. As it was, the street lights provided a bit of light. I got an uncomfortable feeling as I passed the vacant front desk. I picked up my pace only to stumble to a stop. A shadow moved near the doors leading to the garage.
I took a step back.
The shadow moved again, and then a man in all black was running towards me.
Fear clutched me as I turned and raced towards the stairs leading up to the second floor atrium.
