Page 12 of Understanding Fate

“Montgomery Financing Specialists, how can I assist you today?” A man answers robotically.

The business is a front similar to Marlo’s companies. Consulting fees are much more difficult for human governments to trace.

“Yes, I’d like to speak with management about an account issue,” Dante responds.

“Of course, can I have the account name?” he replies.

“Dante Stone.”

“One moment, Mr. Stone.” The line clicks, and hold music plays before another voice comes on the line.

“Stone, I didn’t think I’d hear from you this quickly. I guess news travels fast.” The voice says, interest lacing his voice as Dante’s eyes flash up to mine.

Contacting him for what?

“Thought I’d go right to the source for answers,” Dante replies noncommittally.

“Well, I don’t know about that. I wouldn’t say I’m the source. The contract just happens to fall in my jurisdiction. Idon’t own it and have nothing to do with its execution. My Second brought it to my attention today when we started getting access requests to our territory.”

Contract? What contract?

I can tell Dante is as in the dark as I am.

“Can you tell me who has accepted?” Dante asks, trying to pull as much information as possible without admitting he doesn’t know what’s happening.

“Damn near everyone, if I’m being honest. I'm not sure who will actually complete it, though; there is lots of competition. But you’ve got your own man here, so I guess you have a wolf in this race. I did hear Jett and Dimitri are among them,” he adds, listing two of the most prominent contract mercenaries in the US.

“Yes, and I appreciate you allowing him access. We’re going to do our best to shut this down. I just wanted to check who the big players were and thought I could see how the Ostler twins are doing for you,” Dante says, turning the conversation despite us still not knowing what the contract is for.

It's better to let Pres look into it now that we know it exists.

“Oh, those boys have been great. You certainly trained them well. They keep my young recruits on their toes with the programs they instituted. How’s my girl holding up?” he asks, extending the conversation past what I want to hear.

“She’s the best. I’ll have to give her some time off to go home and visit soon. Thanks for the information. We’ll get this cleaned up for you as quickly as we can.” Dante finishes and hangs up after a few more pleasantries.

Before I can speak, Pres pops in behind me, headphones blaring and laptop in her hand.

“What do you need?” she asks, her voice all business as her eyes slide between Dante and me.

“Montgomery’s got an open contract in his city. Find it,” Dante orders.

Pres drops into the chair next to me, fingers flying over the keys as she flips through the TOR network, dark web windows changing faster than I can keep up.

Please don’t be her.

Part of me knows it's a long shot. She was just taken. There are a lot of eyes on us about the exchange from before Thanksgiving, but the coincidence of her being there and Alpha Montgomery implying it had something to do with us doesn’t sit right with me.

It’s then that I realize Presley’s typing has stopped, and the room is silent. My eyes flip between her and Dante, and I realize they are talking, just not to me.

“Pres…” I growl out, seeing the expression on her face seconds before the mind-link message hits my ears.

Dante: Conference room ten minutes. Shit just hit the fan.

Fuck!

Chapter 5

Bri

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