Page 24 of Breaking the Code

“I’m just relaying the message,” Zayn says.

My eyes dart across the screens. It’s the only movement I allow myself. One search I’m running catches my eye.

Helvig.

The name flashes on the screen a couple of times with Draven and Maeve’s names along with it. The stretch and burn as my eyes widen combined with the name flashing on the screen kicks my pulse up another notch or two.

Jesus! Fuck!

“Fucking bitch is always screwing shit up,” Owen growls.

The “bitch” has cancer, and is about to croak, but Owen’s not with her for anything other than money or sex, and to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure he’s even with her for the sex considering how often he samples the merchandise.

I hazard a sidelong glance toward Owen, and while the gun is still pointed at me, he looks toward Zayn. Taking a chance, I double tap my mouse and pop open a new screen and start typing search parameters I’m never going to use.

Anything to hide the search I’ve got going in the background.

“What are you doing, boy?” Owen asks, pushing the gun into my temple and forcing my head toward my shoulder.

“What you asked. See?” I say, pointing at the screen where I’d typed all the search parameters. Luckily, Owen and Zayn are not savvy enough to know that I’ve added some shit that will bring back inaccurate information. Or rather, information that has nothing to do with the Helvig family.

Owen huffs, shoves the gun against my temple again, and says, “Good. Keep me updated, while I go deal with this fucking cunt I married.”

Owen walks away, pushing past Zayn in the doorway. Zayn watches Owen stalk down the hallway. He’s footsteps echo off the stone walls angrily.

“You’ve gotta get out of here, kid.”

“Yeah, and how long do you give me before Owen Black and Samuel Nicholson send the entire Order, yourself included, to rain hellfire down on my head?” I deadpan.

“Surely you’re smart enough to have set yourself up with an exit plan?”

“I have people I need to find and protect,” I explain, pulling up the search I’d hidden from Owen.

“Don’t we all, kid,” he mumbles.

Confused by the comment he made, I turn and watch Zayn walk away. I didn’t think Zayn had anyone in his life. He was alone in the world, but could be wrong. Shaking my head, I laugh at myself mirthlessly. I’m not. Wrong, that is. Owen makes me do a deep dive into everyone’s lives on the regular and there’s no one is Zayn’s life.

If Zayn had someone, I wouldn’t blame him for keeping quiet. If you don’t want the Order to use those you care about against you, then you keep them as far away from this fucking shitshow as you can.

Sighing, I get up and shut the door, locking it. Sitting back down, I pull out the stash of candy, chips and energy drinks I keep tucked away, and settle in to continue my search into the Helvigs.

I’m going to find Draven’s sister. I’m going to find her and send him the information. I want to give him back as much of what my father took from him as I can.

Hours later, I’ve compiled as much information as I can find. I encrypt it and send it to the email address Draven included in the post he made on the message board, making sure it’s not traceable. I cannot have it coming back to bite me in the ass. I only hope it’s enough to keep him from killing me for what my father did and for being a part of the Order.

CHAPTER SEVEN

DRAVEN

Six months ago - Age 34

Almost a year ago, Lionel McGivern’s head hit the ground. I dug through the office looking for all the evidence I could find on the other members o' the Order o’ Death, and I’m still nowhere near finding the answer to that question. Nae am I any closer to finding my sister.

I’ve been hunting the Order for ages. I’ve found no one else in the UK since Lionel. It’s as if they all just vanished into the mist like ghosts.

Sighing, I swipe my hand down my face and over my beard. All o' this would be a lot easier if I had someone I could trust to help me, but since Simon’s murder, I’ve gone it alone. I’ve considered looking for someone, but I’ve nae been able to bring myself to bring someone in.

How do you go about hiring that out?

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