Bound By Blood: (The Betrayed Series Book 2) (30 page)

R
IIIINNGGG.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,” I mutter, fumbling for the phone on the nightstand. Finding the offensive device, I glower at it a moment before I realize it’s still ringing. Brighton’s number flashes boldly across the screen.

“This better be good,” I demand sleepily.

“I need to talk to you.” His voice is harried.

Alarm bells sound in my head at his tone. Sitting up, I scrub a hand down my face and let out a heavy sigh. “All right. Spill it.”

“No, I need to show you something. I’m on my way up.” The call disconnects before I can muster a reply.

Blinking, I look down at my phone. What the hell? A twinge of anxiety punctures my resolve. Tossing off the sheet, I slide on a pair of shorts and jog down the stairs. The knock comes just as I get to the door. Brighton’s frazzled gaze meets mine, ratcheting my anxiety level up by five thousand.

His hair is tousled like he’s been constantly running his hands through it. There are bags under his eyes, and he’s looking a little pale. Ushering him inside, I warily ask, “Hey, man, are you okay?”

He bites the corner of his lip, a nervous habit he has, and nods.

I don’t believe that shit for a second. “Yeah, I’m not believing that, Brit.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I glare in his direction.

Huffing, he loudly expels a breath. “I’m fine, AJ. A little tired but no worse for wear.”

My eyes narrow with determination. “How’s the injury?” I demand.

He rubs his side. “It’s getting better. It was just a bruise. I’m fine, really. That’s not why I’m here,” he says, annoyed.

“We’ll get to why you’re here. I just need to make sure that you are okay. And from what I can see, you are most certainly not.”

“Dammit, AJ. I’m fine, just tired. I was up all night going over the security feed from the Tenpro House. I found something. That’s why I rushed over here.”

“You couldn’t just tell me over the phone?” I ask, skeptically.

Brighton lets out a humorless laugh. “Look, I know you, and what I’m going to tell you . . . well, let’s just say you will want to see the proof for yourself.”

My eyes glow, taking on an eager gleam as I pick up the faint hints of excitement in Brighton’s tone. Fuck, is it possible? Could the tables be turning? For once, is fate not being such a cruel, punishing wench? God, for the love of all that is holy . . . I sure as hell hope she isn’t. I mean, throw me a bone for cryin’ out loud.

“Well, come on. Let’s get comfortable.” I point to the couch then busy myself by making two cups of coffee. Unable to help myself, I peek my head out the kitchen and ask, “So, I’m assuming some of that sleeplessness has to do with a perky blonde back in the States?”

Brighton scowls. His gray eyes are full of turmoil. Well, hell, I’ve seen that look before. Grabbing the coffee, I walk back into the living room and set a cup down in front of him. He grunts his appreciation before taking a sip.

“Have you tried talking to her about it?” I urge.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” he pushes back.

“Sure, you keep telling yourself that, but at some point, it’s all going to boil over, and when it explodes . . . well, let’s just say you’ll wish you had said something.”

“I’ll think about it.” He sulks, blowing the steam from the top of his coffee cup.

“You do that.” I smirk.

Rolling his eyes, he says, “All right, I need to show this to you. I saw a figure slinking out the back way down a service elevator the night we went to the Tenpro House. I had a suspicion as to who it was. His profile was just eerily familiar. Although there was so much footage, it took me a while to get to it.” He pauses, sucking in a breath.

The hair on the nape of my neck rises, my entire body going on alert. “What is it?” I growl.

“It’s easier if I just show you.” He pulls out his tablet.

Brighton presses play, and the grainy video feed begins filling up the screen. Gasping, anger surges wild and untamed through my muscles. The urge to maim and kill is bright and vibrant, a living entity inside of me. There in the shadows of the Tenpro House, Colonel Black sticks to the wall, frantically trying to avoid detection at all costs. Once out of sight, he barrels down the long hallway that leads to the back elevator and scurries inside.

Inside the service elevator, he takes it to the lobby where he rushes past the guard, out the door, and hails a taxi. The video stops and I play it over and over again, making sure that my eyes are not playing tricks on me. Roaring, I surge off the couch and begin pacing the small confines of my living room. Violent, uncontrolled anger rushes through my body. My vision clouds as the loud pounding in my ears drowns out everything around me. He is the leak.

Someone we have trusted all this time.

How could he? He betrayed his country. He betrayed his friend. He knew where my Goddess was the whole time.

The red haze that’s clouding my vision deepens, the crimson tide sluicing over me, the thirst for vengeance palpable. My rage-filled gaze falls on Brighton. He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t waver. As a matter of fact, his gaze reflects the same anger and rage warring inside me. Relief hits me hard as I blow out a breath. I can always count on my team to have my back.

“Where is he?” I demand.

A devilish grin lights up Brighton’s face. “I’m so glad you asked.”

“Tell me you have him locked down and he isn’t going anywhere,” I plead.

“Your wish is my command. He’s at a temporary location on the outskirts of Seoul. Get this . . . he’s with one of Sang-Hyun’s girls.”

“You’re shittin’ me?” I ask incredulously.

“Nope. He’s with one of his prostitutes. And he just got there. All of the locations have eyes, which I tapped into and took over that one. So, we get the nitty gritty. But we need to move now . . . while he’s preoccupied.”

“Fuck! Let’s move. I’ll call the Colonel. You start calling everyone else. Have them gear up and meet here in fifteen. We’re going in hot.”

“You got it.” Brighton’s excitement is contagious. The beating of my heart thrums in time to the ringing as I dial the Colonel’s number. After three rings, his voicemail picks up. Shit. Redialing, I wait with bated breath when voicemail picks up again. Fuck it. We’re going in without him.

“Colonel, there’s been a breakthrough. Call me when you get this.” Hanging up, I stride back over to Brighton.

“No go on the Colonel.” He raises his eyebrows in surprise. Yeah, I know the feeling.

Nodding, I acknowledge the sentiment. “I know he’d want to be there, but I’m not waiting around. It’s still my team, my mission. I make the calls, and we’re going in. Is everyone else ready?”

“Yeah, they’re bloody excited is what they are. All set to be here on time.”

Looking at the clock on the wall, I grimace. “I’m going upstairs to grab my gear. You got what you need already?”

“Don’t be daft. Of course I have what I need. I don’t ever go anywhere without it.” His shocked expression and offended tone cause me to chuckle.

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get your knickers in a bunch.” Muttering curses under his breath, he goes back to monitoring Colonel Black.

Sprinting up the stairs, I change and start grabbing weapons, strapping them to my body. Tumultuous thoughts hammer away at my already tempestuous brain. Each thought provokes a new question that begs to be answered. Will he have her location? What made him betray his country? What if he doesn’t talk?

That’s easy. We make him talk. Although, there is always a possibility that he doesn’t have any information. I disregard that last thought. It’s asinine. He knows something. Another thought occurs to me.

He gave us the tip on the warehouse.

Motherfucker. He set us up. He tried to kill us. That means Colonel Black is responsible for Cooper being blown across the place, not to mention Brighton’s injuries. My rage wells, becoming the dominant force inside my brain.

Before I have a chance to ponder any further how I’d like to torture the traitorous bastard, Brighton yells up the stairs, “Yo, AJ. Team’s here.”

Cracking my neck, I release some of the pent-up tension. “Let’s do this,” I grumble under my breath.

Stomping down the stairs, I come to a stand in front of my team. From the expressions on all of their faces, it’s plain as day that Brighton already filled them in. Silently, I meet all of their gazes, holding them for several moments.

When my gaze lands on Noah, he smirks and says, “So, are we ready to go and see Back Door Black?”

Popping an eyebrow at him, my voice is filled with amusement when I ask, “Back Door Black?”

Nodding furiously, he responds, “Oh, yeah. That’s gonna stick, too. That fucker slunk out the back door. I bet he likes it in the back door, too.”

Groaning, I shake my head. “Fuck! Shut the hell up, Noah. I don’t need to picture that shit. Is everyone ready?”

A collective “Yes” sounds from the group.

“Good, let’s go meet up with ‘Back Door Black’ as Jester here likes to call him,” I say, smirking at Noah.

Loading the vehicle and getting on the road takes less time than expected. Smooth, well organized, and efficient, like a well-oiled machine. This team is all of those things and more, something I’ve never been more thankful of than right this moment. My chest expands, swelling with hunger at the anticipation of what’s to come. Blowing out a long breath, my gaze falls on the people lining the streets going about their business, stuck in their daily lives, oblivious to so many aspects of reality. A vibration in my pocket pulls my gaze from the window. My brow furrows. Digging through my pockets, I scoop out my phone and see the Colonel’s number blazing on the screen.

“Grant,” he barks.

“Yes, sir?”

“There’s been a development?” He’s breathy and sounds impatient.

“Colonel, is everything all right?” I ask.

Sighing heavily, he replies, “Yes, just following up on a lead.”

“So are we, sir.”

“What lead?” he demands.

“Not one that can be discussed over the air, sir.”

“Very well. If you find anything out from this lead, don’t go any further without me. I want to be there when we find her. Is that understood?”

“Understood, sir. Permission to speak freely?”

“Yes.”

“Keep your phone on, sir. If you don’t answer, I will proceed with the extraction. I’ll not wait and endanger her further. I’m sorry, sir, but she’s not worth risking.”

“Message received, Captain. She’s not worth risking. But, call me. The phone will be on.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Be careful, son.”

“You too, sir.”

The call ends just as Brighton brings the vehicle to a stop. Glancing up, I squint my eyes, trying to make sense of our surroundings. After a moment, I recognize the bungalow Brighton showed me four doors down. Everyone turns around in their seats and stares at me, waiting for orders. Inhaling several deep breaths, I steel my nerves. This is it, what we’ve been waiting for.

“All right. We go in low and slow. Be ready for anything. Stick to the shadows. Back Door Black is prone to sneaking out the rear so, Jester, you and Chaos are covering the back,” I say, my eyes landing on them for emphasis. “Blade, Sandman, and I will go in the front. Keep your eyes and ears open. Be on alert for anything.” Hesitating, I look to Brighton.