Page 5 of Fired at the Heart

“Welcome back.” Caleb’s expression remains neutral. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Good to see you, too.” Tension hugs my spine. “Unexpected, though.”

His shoulder lifts in a shrug that gives nothing away.

Raphael comes around the table to pull out the chair across from Aaiden. Being this close to him again brings on a wave of attraction that hooks into my gut, that primal pull of an Omega to their Alpha, even after all these years.

I curse internally, my fingers digging into my thigh as I fight the wave of weakness that washes over me. My suppressants, usually so reliable, falter in Raphael’s presence, his pheromones cutting through the chemical barrier to trigger a cascade of memories and physical reactions I thought I had long since buried.

While my body betrays me, Raphael remains infuriatingly composed, his expression a mask of cool indifference. There’s no hint of the turmoil I feel, no sign that my presence affects him in the slightest.

The realization sends a surge of anger coursing through my veins, the bitter sting of rejection mingling with the ever-present ache of longing.

Cassian cuts between us, grasping the back of the chair next to where Raphael holds it. “I can take it from here. Thanks.”

Raphael’s nostrils flare with the only sign of his irritation as he steps back. “I thought this was a family-only meeting.”

I settle into the chair, and my second in command takes up his station at my elbow, his presence a silent reminder of the life I built beyond these walls. “Cassian is family. Anything you have to say to me can be said in front of him.”

Raphael’s mouth opens, but Aaiden clears his throat, interrupting him. “Whatever puts you at ease, Avery.”

The muscle in Raphael’s jaw jumps as he glides back to his abandoned seat, the chasm between us a yawning void filled with unspoken words and broken promises. Every breath I take in his proximity is a reminder of his betrayal, of the future we once dreamed of building together, now reduced to ashes and dust.

And yet, beneath the anger and the hurt exists a traitorous whisper of hope that refuses to be silenced. As much as I hate him, as much as I want to bury the past and move on, part of me still yearns for his touch, for the comfort and security only he can provide.

Aaiden folds his hands on top of a folder that rests in front of him. “First, let me thank you again for coming on such short notice. You’re a busy man, and we appreciate you taking the time to come today.”

“Cut the bullshit.” I fix Aaiden with a cool stare. “You didn’t invite me here for a social call, so get to the point and tell me what you want.”

“You’re right.” Aaiden leans forward, his expression earnest. “We need your expertise and resources for a large-scale operation.”

They were so quick to turn up their noses at my business, but now they need me?

A humorless smirk tugs at my lips. “Is that so? And what, pray tell, is this situation that requires my particular set of unsavory skills?”

Aaiden takes a deep breath, his expression growing somber. “We’ve uncovered a human trafficking operation, one that’s been targeting Omegas in our area. They’re not only selling Omegas for breeding but also using them as lab rats to develop new drugs.”

My stomach sinks at his words, though they don’t land with the shock I’m sure he expects. Such operations always pop up in the underbelly of my world. I’ve even taken some of them out for the fun of watching them scream. But that’s just my personal vendetta against those kinds of monsters.

It’s nothingnew, so why are the Rockfords taking an interestnow?

My features remain blank. “And why are you giving me this little history lesson? You think a few sob stories about exploited Omegas will tug at my heartstrings, and I’ll leap at the chance to play the white knight?”

If I want to kill human traffickers, I don’t need to work with the Rockfords to do it. That’s just community service I already do on my own time.

I lean forward, pinning Aaiden with a hard stare. “Let’s get one thing straight. Thewhydoesn’t motivate me. I don’t give a damn about your noble cause, or whatever pretty label you’ve put on this to justify killing people. The only thing that matters tomeis the payment. Same as always. And from where I’m sitting, you haven’t offered the appropriate motivation required for me to take an interest.”

My body language signaling indifference, I settle back in my chair as I wait for Aaiden’s response.

Raphael watches me with a single-minded focus that threatens to unravel me from the inside out. But I won’t let him see how much he affects me. He doesn’t deserve the satisfaction of knowing that, after all these years, he still holds the power to bring me to my knees.

Aaiden’s hands spread in an imploring gesture. “Avery, you of all people understand how important this is. These are your people. You have a responsibility to help them.”

Fury sweeps through me. He might as well come out and tell everyone I was born in one of those hellholes. Am I supposed to be grateful he didn’t air my dirty laundry in front of Cassian?

“Are you trying to manipulate me right now?” Rage burns through me, white-hot and all-consuming. I shoot to my feet, Cassian catching my chair before it clatters to the floor. “To be clear, I don’t owe you, or anyone else, a damn thing.”

Annoyed with myself for ever returning here, I straighten my jacket. “I’m not interested in your job, and I’m sure as hell not interested in your guilt trip. You can find someone else to do your dirty work. This meeting is over.”

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