Page 123 of Villainous Rise

In my office, I transferred the case files to Wraith’s secure channel, then slumped back in my chair. Now for the hard part. I pulled out my phone and stared at Cipher’s name on the screen.

He would absolutely be monitoring me. He probably had access to every camera in the city. And if he saw me heading to a warehouse at midnight?

It wouldn’t end well.

I took a deep breath and typed out a message.

Going to be later than I thought. Havoc needs me to handle something.

What kind of something?

Of course he’d ask that. Cipher didn’t do vague.

Alliance business. Confidential.

You’re a terrible liar, Sparks. I can see your pulse jumping through the vein in your neck.

My hand flew to my throat. Damn it. He was watching me right now.

Please don’t monitor me tonight.

Now I’m curious. What exactly are you up to?

I closed my eyes, fighting the urge to look at the security camera in the corner.

Please, Cipher.

A long pause followed.

Fine. My business with Inferno is taking longer than expected anyway. Message me when you’re done and I’ll come get you.

I thought I’d feel relieved if he agreed, but there was only the sinking feeling of dread. If he found out about the potential danger I was putting myself in, the consequences would be catastrophic. He would lock me away and swallow the key.

My fingers trembled as I typed my reply.

I will. Promise.

CHAPTER 21

ANNIE

I checked my watch again, squinting at the glowing numbers. 11:52 PM. I was early, which somehow made me even more anxious.

“Perfect,” I muttered, watching tendrils of fog curl around my headlights. “Just perfect.”

The fog had rolled in from the bay about twenty minutes ago, transforming the already sketchy Pier District into something straight out of a horror movie. Warehouse 37 loomed ahead, a dark, hulking shadow against the foggy night. No lights, no signs of life. Just an abandoned building where I was supposed to meet a mysterious advisor alone.

I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, trying to calm my nerves. This was ridiculous. I’d faced down actual Villains without feeling this anxious. Why was I so on edge?

“Because this feels like a trap,” I answered myself.

The silence pressed in around me, broken only by the sound of foghorns on the bay and the distant sound of cars passing on the main road several blocks away. I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to Havoc:

I’m here.

I’ve got eyes on you. Be careful.

That provided some comfort. Havoc knew exactly where I was, and if anything went wrong, he’d be here in seconds.