Page 153 of Deadfall

71

ALBATRON

Twenty-Four Hours Later

I looked around my surroundings. The basement of Alpha One was clean, sterile and built with utility and function in mind. I thought it reflected its ruler quite adequately. Despite the isolation, I knew I was being watched. I could feel eyes, but I couldn’t see a camera in view. Another seamless design, I had to admit.

I smoothed my hands down the front of my suit and was hit with a flash of irritation as I observed the stains of dirt on the lapel, and the small bit of thread that had gotten snagged near a button. I’d probably have to throw the entire thing away. I sighed. The loss of a good suit was always irritating, even if I’d lost count of the number of them I’d ruined by stepping onto the field of play.

That’s why I preferred to be behind the scenes. Less laundry.

It was true that I didn’t have to be here. I had my leverage without stepping out from behind the veil. It certainly would have been easier. But not nearly as satisfying as looking North in the eye. He was a formidable adversary, and I respected that. This was how I showed it.

I needed to show him the kind of man I really was.

I wanted him to have to let me go, and to see how it felt when he did.

I leaned against the back wall of the cell as I heard footsteps descend the stairs, measured and firm—I would bet money it was North himself.

Sure enough, Theron North emerged in all his glory. And he really was a sight. Torn up from a battle fit for ancient texts. A warrior home from a victory that he could still taste on his tongue. I thought he might stop at the bars, but he went a step further, as I’d come to learn he was prone to do, and opened the door. He stood in the entrance and met my gaze.

“You have two minutes,” he demanded.

“I appreciate a man that is direct and to the point,” I said. “So I will be too.”

Those steel grey eyes bore into mine. We were gods, he and I, and in that moment I saw the depth of him whether he wanted me to or not. I knew my next words would test him.

“I have Gabriel Griffin,” I continued. “And…your daughter.”

I watched the world stop in his eyes and then he was on me. He grabbed my suit and shoved hard against my chest. There was a decade of rage and violence in his stare. I didn’t move, I wasn’t here to provoke.

“If you’ve hurt her—” he snarled.

“I propose a trade,” I said.

“You’re not in a position to bargain,” North growled.

My lips twitched. “You don’t want me as your enemy, North. I admire what you’ve built over the years. I will even admit to letting Vetticus have too much rein. But I am not so easily snuffed out, and if you kill me—well, I don’t advise it.”

“Is that a threat?”

“I don’t deal in threats,” I said. “It is simply a fact. What I’m proposing is beneficial to all parties.”

I could see the hurt and suffering waged a war in his head. He wanted to hurt me. He wanted to end everything he thought I was responsible for right here. My blood would be the last, he thought—but we both knew that would be a lie. Men like us never stopped killing.

I sighed and looked at him with a sympathetic look that bordered on condescension.

“I didn’t kill your daughter, North,” I said. “She is alive. Griffin is alive. You let me go, they get delivered to you still breathing, and we both go on with our lives.”

“Why?” He ground out.

I could have told him the truth. I could have told him what I really was after—my family enterprise. Complete power over a system that had corruption deep in its veins that I wanted nothing more than to be able to rip out. I could have told him my troubles with my brothers. I could have told him a lot of things. I told him none of it.

“I see opportunity and I capitalize on it—regardless of the means to get there. But, killing is messy and despite appearances, I’m a businessman first. Besides, I actually admire you—”

North scoffed and shoved off of me to step away.

“I do.” I smoothed out my jacket, annoyed again to have presented myself covered in dirt and blood splatter. “You’ve overcome much and were quite innovative in your thirst for revenge. The dedication is staggering honestly. I prefer to keep men like you alive.”