Page 41 of Vicious Hearts

“Can it wait?” I ask, believing he wants to discuss the agreement we had for an arms trade. He shakes his head, his lips pressed together like they could implode at any moment.

Caleph is not happy when he sees us pass the living room to get to the study. I shoot him a cutting look meant to keep him in his place and continue on, shutting the door behind us as I settle against the desk. I fold my arms across my chest and wait.

“There’s something you should know,” Marden says. My eyes move between both men, swinging from one to the other in curiosity. What could be so important that they would risk staying here when they know Caleph’s ire is boiling over. The Jekyll is quiet; he hasn’t said a word since he arrived.

“I’m listening,” I tell him.

“As am I,” Caleph says, stepping into the room.

Both men barely glance Caleph’s way before they go on, choosing instead to minimize the conflict between him and The Jekyll.

“For reasons I won’t go into, this man here has been tracking a Mexican cartel for the past two years. He’s infiltrated their operations and caused them extensive financial and structural damage. A few days ago, he happened upon a plan to fulfil a bounty.”

I watch as Caleph steps further into the room, his curiosity piqued. He says nothing as he comes to a stop near us and listens intently without interrupting.

“The cartel is virtually on the verge of collapse; this bounty would prop them up once again. Which goes against everything my brother here has been doing.”

It doesn’t go unnoticed that Marden refers to The Jekyll as his brother. I knew it was probably figurative; as far as I know, Marden doesn’t have any biological brothers.

“Go on.”

“He wanted to stop them cashing in on that bounty. He found out at the very last minute that they were planning to take her as you entered the airport.”

His glance slides toward Caleph, letting him know the would be bounty hunters had information they shouldn’t have had.

“That’s when he decided to take her instead and collect the bounty,” Caleph speaks up, his voice hollow like he’s speaking from a distance. Marden shakes his head in response.

“It was never about the money. He took her so they wouldn’t, and so they couldn’t collect the bounty. A botched kidnapping means they lose their credibility.”

“You faked her death,” I say, looking at The Jekyll. This is obviously something that Marden isn’t aware of, because he looks at him but says nothing. He can’t answer a question he doesn’t know the answer to.

“If she were dead, they’d stop looking,” The Jekyll says, his voice catching even Marden by surprise. Obviously, the man doesn’t do much talking if he’s able to get that sort of a reaction.

“Why are you telling us this?” Caleph asks, his eyebrows creased questioningly.

“Because you need to understand,” Marden starts again “and I’m giving you this as a peace offering… that it was one of your guards that fed the information to the Mexicans.”

* * *

Caleph’s angeris no longer turned toward The Jekyll. If anything, the beast saved Ariadne’s life, and probably Caleph’s, too. If they’d made it to the airport, the Mexicans would not have stopped short of killing him to get to their target. He is smart enough to understand this.

He is infuriated as he paces his office waiting for Seven to send through confirmation. He narrows down who was not onsite the night that The Jekyll overheard the conversation between the Mexicans and the guard, then shows him pictures until The Jekyll is able to confirm the identity of the traitor. Now he seeks final confirmation through Seven that the guard had in fact been in touch with some dubious characters.

When the message comes through, confirming what we already know, Caleph closes his eyes and sighs until an overwhelming sense of peace overcomes him. I follow his eyes as they trail to the window and everything beyond it.

“Bring him to the driveway,” he says, looking at me. “And gather up all the soldiers.” He turns to Marden and The Jekyll with a short nod. “You’re free to stay and watch,” he says. “I think there’s a lesson for everyone here.”

* * *

Murmurs fillthe air as I stand in the driveway, watching the guards assemble in front of the house. Marden and The Jekyll drive off in their convoy, leaving me alone with this unsettling scene. A part of me regrets that it has come to this, but another part knows it must be done. If we don't make an example now, we lose our validation and open the door to chaos and mayhem.

The soldiers stand idly by, their khaki uniforms the perfect backdrop for the jungle in the fading light. I take a deep breath, wishing it didn’t have to be this way. The weight of responsibility settles heavy upon my shoulders, threatening to crush my resolve. But I can’t afford to waver now that we’ve come this far.

As the silence stretches between us, anticipation hangs thick in the air. I raise my gaze and meet the eyes of each soldier with a steady, unwavering stare.

38

CALEPH

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