Page 57 of Imbalanced Minds

Chapter Thirty

Cory

It took all my willpower not to punch a gaping hole in Michael’s office wall while going through the surveillance footage. If anyone sensed my hostility, they didn’t let on.

I can still feel the anger that’s running rampant through my veins as I lay Iris in bed. She fell asleep on the way home, but I didn’t dare wake her because she’s barely holding it together.

Closing the door to our bedroom quietly behind me, I head to the internal garage on a mission to let out some of my pent-up rage. I’m like a loaded gun when I can’t hone-in my frustration. It’s the same reason I have a punching bag in my office at work.

I told Justin to call by on his way home from work. I need to figure out what to do next and all this seething is making me overthink.

I make a start on wrapping my hands, allowing me to lay into the gear before he arrives. I forgo warming up this time but know I’ll regret it.

Taking my stance and squaring my shoulders, I raise my arms and with formed fists, I start hitting the speed bag. I make every hit with precision, getting jabs in as though I was up against an opponent.

The seething burn in not only my arms but also my lungs, as I fight against the war in my head. As all the information I’ve learnt over the last few months starts forming into ideas on how to solve the ‘problem’, I become too distracted, when suddenly, the free-standing speedball I’m using jolts back and smacks me clean in the head.

Loud clapping comes from the doorway. As I turn, while slowly running a palm down my face, I see Justin leaning against the door frame with a killer smirk.

“Not like you to lose focus, Whitman.” Justin teases.

“Yeah, well, I’d love to see you try and keep up with this thing.” I jeer back.

He pushes off the door and heads my way. Good to see he let himself in quietly, although, I’ll have to talk to him about returning that key now Iris is here. Can’t be having him see his sister in compromising positions.

“So, you ready to do this shit?” Jay asks, his once comical personality replaced with seriousness.

“You bet. Head on up to my office, I’ll be there in a sec. Just be quiet, Iris is sleeping.”

Giving me a chin lift in response, he turns on his heel and heads out of the garage. I grab a water bottle from the fridge and follow suit. Once inside, I lock the door behind me and turn the monitors on; I always get a sense of uneasiness when looking at these things. Even though they’re my own cameras, I always get the sixth sense someone’s watching me. Ironic, I suppose, knowing Iris has a stalker.

Her piece of scum ex, Tyrell Middleton, is still playing tricks and it looks like he’s playing for keeps.

Anger flares in my veins again thinking of this psycho. I’ve dealt with some pretty intense people before, but never this deluded or psychotic.

Justin wastes no time getting started. He has all the notes that were sent to us, the extra copy of the surveillance from the farm and a photo of the note Iris received. I told Mike all he needed to know, of course, because not even we know who gave us the info, but the fact of the matter is, Iris is his daughter, and he wants to protect her too and we have to respect that.

“Do you think we can handle this on our own? I mean, aside from having the cops handling it, we’ve never done anything like this before. This is deeper than we originally thought.” I say with unease. I know we’re both thinking it, we’re totally in over our heads.

Jay looks at me with a fire in his eyes. I know what that look means and it’s never good. He’s in this for blood. The last time he looked like this was when some asshole tried to hit on Natalie and wouldn’t get the picture. Safe to say, three times was not a charm for that guy.

This time, however, his look is more sinister.

“Once we get involved in this there’s no going back,” Justin says, reading my mind.

“It’s the only option we have. If what we know is true, then we need all the help we can get.”

“Call him.”

I nod in agreement as he hands me my phone. Here goes nothing. I dial Gunner’s number. This guy was there the night of Iris’ attack and although he hasn’t outright told us, I know he’s associated with some big-time biker club.

“Who’s this?” A rather pissed off voice asks on the other line.

“It’s Cory. Listen, mate, sorry to bother you, but we need your help.”

“Oh yeah. What kind of help?” he asks curiously but also encrypted as to say ‘don’t ask directly over the phone’.

“It’s to do with the assault at Seduction a while back. We’re desperate.”

---