Page 47 of Love Fire

He’s a violent guy for sure. However, it’s somewhat of a pattern that the aggressive ones are the most stupid. Thinking with their anger more than their logic. It’s a basic lesson for dragons that are still young.

I walk through the long hallways. This place looks bigger than it actually is. I’m taking several turns until I spot a plaque with his name.

Surprisingly, his office is quite clean. He has a fantastic view of the parking lot. Next to his computer, a bonsai tree full of life sits there. Much like the floors, his desk’s squeaky clean.

I place the box on top of it. Ready to get to work. I sit on his leather chair to get comfortable.

I open all the drawers and rummage through papers and files. I need anything that looks out of place. Something that even mentions Iridescence or Draconis Fire. There’s nothing.

The computer gives me an idea. I click mindlessly at the keyboard to light up the screen. The first thing that pops out: password login.

“Are you kidding me?” I sigh.

Erin buzzes in. “What’s wrong?”

“Would you happen to know Hank’s password?”

“Of course not. It shouldn’t be hard though. He’s not that smart.”

I tap my fingers on the desk. Trying to remember certain things about him. But he just looks like any other goon.

I type random names that are connected to the cartel. Vincent, Torres, Hank, even his name backwards. I even typed variations of those names but with numbers. Nothing.

The only other thing I know is the license plate on his Escalade. I memorized it after he shot me. Asshole.

After typing it in, I have access to the computer.

My finger works its magic with the mouse. I sift through the dozens of files he has saved. Some fucked up and some just utterly weird.

The main folders hold information about the cartel’s illegal activity that doesn’t include the drug. I’m not sure how Erin knows about her dad’s business, but Iridescence isn’t the only issue here. For now, it’s the most important one.

There’s a hidden file within a series of files. I’m actually scared what I’d find here if Hank hid this folder and not the other shit. After clicking, the screen turns blue with all the files that popped up.

My sleuthing gets interrupted when the alarms go off in the building.

“Brent, get out right now! They know who you are!” Erin shouts in my ear.

“One second.”

“You have to leave!” she urges.

I click on a file labeled “IR locations”. It might be short for Iridescence. As I open the file, I hear the guards yelling my name down the hall.

“Where the fuck is Brent Fauquier?”

I take a picture of the screen with my phone. I don’t have time to log out of the computer. The guards finally find me.

As soon as I see them reach for their pockets, I kick the desk up. I launch the leather chair at them to block their way even a little. Two of them are knocked down.

Using the desk as a fort, I take out my weapon as their bullets start to fly. The windows shatter. Glass falls on me without a scratch.

I take a kneeling position and start to aim at their heads. My bullets hits a guard’s ear. Another is taken down by the knee. One of their bullets grazes my bicep.

I hiss in pain. Their guns got an upgrade I see. Fucking bastards.

I use the objects around me as a distraction. The poor bonsai tree is the first victim but hit a guard right on the face. They’re getting closer. Their bullets are tearing this office, and the desk, down.

When I stand up to fully take them on, a bullet whizzes through my head. I take cover on what’s left of the desk. My heart’s racing and my body’s shaking.

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