Page 131 of Reclaiming Adelaide

“Put him on the phone. I need to speak to him.”

“We’re almost to the drop-off.”

I slammed my fist down on the desk. “For fuck sake, Jake, listen to me, and put him on the phone.”

He scoffed before an accented male voice came over the speaker. “Hello?”

“I need to know. Who is Franklin?”

“One of the most heartless, calculated mercenaries I know.”

“Franklin came to me. He said he was Crysis, and he was looking for you. He said you were the key to fixing all of this.”

“He isn’t Crysis; he must’ve killed him.”

“So, who is Franklin?”

“He’s my second in command.”

Second in command? That meant… My stomach bottomed out, then shot up, burning my throat with acid.

“You…” my chin quivered. “You killed my parents?”

My computer screen blurred as the tears pooled on my lower lid. My skin crawled as my fist clenched.

“I didn’t do that. I’m working against them. We’ve been doing this together. Remember?”

“You…” I slammed my hand down again, sending a zing up to my elbow as my wrist bone caught the side of the desk. “You threw me to the wolves with no warning, and now my parents are dead.”

“We all sacrificed something for the cause.”

I shook my head, my heart battling against my chest. My vision blackened as I held onto the desk.

“I hope they fucking fry you alive, you piece of shit!”

“That’s enough,” Jake said in the background. “Adelaide.” The sound of his voice settled deep in my bones. No one was safe if they were willing to kill one of their own. “Sit tight.”

“I think it’s a trap,” I said, my teeth grinding together.

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Ihungupthephone and glanced at Yergi. “So you’re the head of this snake, huh?”

“I used to be. I haven’t been for quite some time now.”

“You better tell me everything, or I’m going to gut you in front of everyone. Why are you here, in my city?”

“Be a little more inventive, Jake Murray.” The man turned his glare on me. “They will be.”

Tonk pushed the man against the backrest. “Torture isn’t his specialty, but it is mine.”

A frown dipped the corners of his lips. “Hmm.” He nodded. “I see.”

“Then you know when I tell you that nothing will stop me from taking pleasure in your screams, right down to the very last breath you draw.”

“I believe you.”

“Then tell him what he needs to know.”

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