Page 88 of Jump or Fall
She was safe now. He could keep her close.
But guilt still gripped him.
If he’d thought about her door lock from the start, would this have happened? If he had insisted she not go back, would she have listened?
No, he couldn’t let himself drown in the what-ifs. Mara had made her choice to fight, and he couldn’t fault her for it.
She needed this—needed to take him down.
And Knight would begin to pay now.
Gordon grabbed his tablet to make a call.
Two chimes.
“Yeah?” Kim’s voice came through.
“Kim. I think Jasper needs some mandatory leave.”
He could almost hear the giddiness in her silence.
Chapter 29
Millon
It was too convenient that a group, armored like enforcers, had taken down a mech. Anyone purchasing personal armor would likely want some level of customization. Additionally, the enforcers on patrol that night had all been accounted for, ruling out the possibility of a rogue faction retaliating over being replaced.
Though he hadn’t known yet who to suspect, Millon figured some of his own people had to be involved. Silva and Mara had come to mind, though the latter had seemed unlikely. She had access to everything in the Armory, but Knight had broken her a long time ago.
He flexed his metal hand, seething at the thought of that man. Knight would show up unannounced and treat the place like his own personal residence. Whenever he cornered Mara, Millon had to ensure the security feeds were switched off. There wasn’t much he could do for her, but he could grant her that small dignity.
His father Kenji’s words were on his mind with every interaction:
“If you want a good seat in Hell, you must appease the Devil.”
“Why would you want a seat in Hell?”
“Trust me. You don’t want the place under his boot.”
And appease the Devil he did. His father indulged in their endless supply of women and skiff—but Millon had no interest. He never understood the appeal of fucking a woman who was paid to want it or one who had no choice. The skiff made people unpredictable, dulling theirminds. It was no surprise Kenji had killed himself, crashing his car into a pole. Millon had no desire to follow in those footsteps.
But he had continued playing along with the clawed tyrant. The tyrant with a stranglehold on the medical industry of not only Teichus, but the entire Domain. Those ridiculous metal fingers were into everything, ensuring his necessity.
At least, until now.
Change was coming.
Silva admitting that both he and Mara had been involved in the attacks had been a surprise—but a welcome one. Knight and his associated scum had gone unchecked for too long, and now that bastard had the audacity to try and take his company? No. The tides in Teichus were shifting, and they were stained red. He would sooner burn Hyperion to the ground than let it go to Knight.
He took a long drag from his clove cigarette, savoring the intense, spiced flavor as it crackled.
This was going to be interesting.
He straightened his coat and tapped the door with a metal finger. The thin armor was the right choice—slim ceramic plates sewn beneath the latest version of their aramid vest. Mara was a true master of her craft. Once this task was over, he would send someone to move her to a safe location. It was only a matter of time until Knight got wind of the rogue suits. Getting her away was the least he could do.
Outside, his personal guards patrolled the perimeter.
The door opened, and Millon fired a single round into the housekeeper’s chest.
