Page 80 of Hell Breaks Loose

“Ora is cut from the same cloth. She knows what this is.”

And I can see just how badly she wants to believe that.

“I don't think I do. Let me in. Let me help.”

“You’re here. That’s enough.” Her expression closes off again, the rift between us yawning.

I start toward the door to let her answer the phone when she stops me.

“Gavin. Where’s Evan?”

Her words are tight, her control adamant.

“I wondered when you were going to ask.”

Hellena glares at me, gripping the edge of the desk. “I couldn’t. Not with all of them here.”

“Who? You mean your friends? Your family?”

“You’ve never lied to me, Gav. And you’re the only one who can help me keep it together. So tell me. Now.”

“He’s gone, Hell. I lost him in the flood.”

Her legs give out, dropping her to her office chair.

I start to explain, to open up to her, to share the gaping, bloody wound in my own heart. But the door opens, admitting one of her apes.

“Uh, Marco’s said to call him back. Like, yesterday.” He eyes me suspiciously.

Hellena nods once, standing and walking to the door, holding it open for me.

“I’m sorry to hear about your loss. Jay will show you where you’ll be staying. Jay, give him a rundown of the compound. Let him give you pointers on what to look out for with the Holy Ghosts.”

And she slams that door right in my face.

15

MARCO

There's something to be said for loyalty and trust.

I've always traded in the currency of power.

Fear. Retaliation. Violence.

Money, of course.

All of those things revolve around threats, the promise of punishment.

The upper hand over my enemies is a must, whether it’s staying one step ahead, cutting them off at the knees by turning their allies against them, or just being the smartest guy in any room.

Or the richest.

I always hedge my bets to win.

But none of those things garner the kind of security that loyalty provides. Knowing that your people will do their jobs, even when no one is watching. Knowing that they won’t stab you in the back.

Of course, you can never know for certain.

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