Page 33 of More Than A Feeling

"I'm done with all of you," I spoke calmly and clearly so they'd understand. "Just like Fleur. Sabine, I can never forgive you and never will. Brian, Lenora, if you both start to treat Fleur with the love and respect she deserves, we could someday become friendly."

Chapter 15

Fleur

The ground beneath me trembled with the aftershocks of the explosion, dust and debris falling around us like confetti at a macabre parade. Orion was gone, and I was alone. The makeshift barricade provided little comfort as gunfire continued to pepper the building, each shot telling me how precarious my situation was.

I winced, clutching my side where a jagged piece of debris had torn through my clothes. Blood trickled down, but I forced myself to focus. I had to finish reconfiguring the missile system and ensure the completion of our mission.

"Come on, come on," I muttered to myself, my fingers dancing over the keyboard. The portable control unit beeped reassuringly as the drones responded, positioning themselves for the final sequence.

"Viper, Rune, do you copy?" I tried again, but static was my only reply.

My heart sank. If I couldn't get through to them, we were as good as dead.

My vision blurred momentarily, a combination of pain and exhaustion. I blinked hard, refusing to give in. Orion was out there, risking his life to get our signal through. I couldn't let him down.

The holographic interface displayed the status of our security system. It was ready, but so was the enemy. I could hear footsteps outside, the crunch of broken glass under heavy boots.

"Fuck," I whispered, adrenaline surging through me. I activated the final sequence, the drones deploying their defensive measures. The holographic screen lit up with confirmation—our task was complete. But the relief was short-lived as a shadow loomed in the doorway.

A figure stepped in, weapon raised. I froze, my mind racing for a solution. My sidearm was within reach, but drawing it would take precious seconds I didn't have.Andit wasn't like I was a great shot.

Before I could react, the figure crumpled, a single shot ringing out. Alpha One's voice crackled in my earpiece. "Got your back, Wraith."

I exhaled, my hands shaking. "Damn, but it's good to hear your voice."

"We're getting back up. Hold tight."

After that there was silence again. So, I waited.

Chapter 16

Callum

It had been three days, and I hadn't heard from Fleur and neither had June and Titus or any of her other friends who hung out at Peychaud's.

Brian had come to see me at home after the denouement at Sabine's place. Apparently, his kid had managed to convince him and Lenora that she wasn't at fault and that she'd been nervous about losing Seamus or some such shit.

I told him to leave and not come back until he got his head straightened and never come back to plead Sabine's case with me. As far as my family and I were concerned, we were done with Sabine. If Brian and Lenora refused to see what was in front of their eyes—that they had a selfish and spoiled kid who never grew up, we were finished with them as well. Sure, Sabine had a ton of polish, and that fooled a lot of people—but eventually, it slipped, and I wondered how often it had with Seamus. Had heexcused it like I had to keep loving her until it had crashed and burned?

How upset was Seamus after that confrontation with Sabine? Was that the reason he had an accident?

I knew it was futile to keep going back and hoping that something would change and my brother would once again be alive and with me. The hole he left in our lives was massive, and that ache was there all of the time—except, I now realized, when I was with Fleur. She lightened the pain. She made me happy. And I fucking hadn't made her happy, had I? No. I'd been a jackass.

I texted her again:When are you back? Come on, Grian, don't ghost me.

No response. In fact, the iMessage didn't even change to read. She wasn't getting these messages. Damn it! Had she blocked me again? Where the hell was she? I was getting pretty close to calling her company to ask to talk to her—but that would annoy her, and I didn't need her to be any more pissed off with me than she already was.

I was in the middle of reviewing some investment proposals when my assistant buzzed in. "Mr. Gallagher, there is a Miss Anya Burke for you. She says it's urgent."

I glanced at the clock. It was barely past noon, and my schedule was packed. "Who is she?"

"Ah…she just says it's confidential."

I frowned.

"And insists it's a matter of great importance," she added.

---