Page 18 of Nocturne
Lying to someone who’s known me since I was a kid? That shit’s brutal. But this lie? This one might be the only thing that keeps her safe from what’s coming.
“I know that. And that’s exactly why I need you to trust me.”
Grace’s worry is real, I know her. I know I can count on her, the same way I can with Zion.
The fucked up part is, I don’t want anyone getting fucked because of my mistakes. I could never live withthat.
I look around and see people laughing, drinking, tossing jokes like this whole shit ain’t about to crash down on us any second. Some are just faking it, like me. Others actually believe it’ll work out. But I know how this game goes. This war’s coming heavy. My mind won’t stop, thinking about Grace, Zion... Fear’s tight in my chest, sharp and heavy. Scared of losing them, scared I won’t be able to protect anyone. I take another swig of my beer, don’t even taste it. All I know is I gotta be strong. Or at least fake it. Like I always do. Even if right now… shit’s tougher than ever. And I gotta trust O’Connor, dude’s gotta have some card up his sleeve.
That damn flash drive keeps spinning in my head. Could be the key, you know? The key to where the money’s hiding, or maybe the real plan those motherfuckers from Midnight Echoes are cooking up. I can’t shake the feeling that this shit’s bigger than just cash, like it’s the start of something that’s gonna fuck everything up if we don’t stop it. Every time I think about it, my gut twists. I gotta figure it out before it blows up in all our faces. No way I’m letting my people get caught slipping ‘cause of some hidden secret locked in that tiny piece of tech.
I don’t care if Damon don’t trust me. I gotta do this for all of them, for everyone I give a damn about.
“I trust you, a lot, but... sometimes I get scared of what’s going on in your head. I just want you to know I’m here for you, Hunter.” Grace runs her hands over my shoulder and takes another sip of her beer. Her phone buzzes and she says, “It’s O’Connor, meeting in five.”
?????
When I walk into the room with Grace and Zion, I see Damon, Vincent, and Emma already standing there, all throwing hateful looks at me and my crew. I ignore it. This is the office room we use for the heavier meetings, two laptops sit on the table, a whiteboard on the left side, the same side we came in from.
“You’re the one who found the flash drive, Hunter?” Carter leans on the table, eyes locked on me. Vincent steps closer, pulls out a chair, and sits down. Damon and Emma just watch, silent as ghosts.
“Yeah, that was me.”
I step forward and pull the flash drive from the ripped pocket of my black jeans. “I don’t think they left this shit behind on purpose. The sooner we figure out what’s on it, the better. For us… and for Boston.”
“Alright. Here’s the deal,” O’Connor takes a breath, but before he can finish, Damon cuts him off.
“And how the fuck am I supposed to know that flash drive’s even theirs? You ain’t trustworthy. Never were.”
The whole room shifts. Heavy. Eyes lock like fists mid-air, like someone’s about to throw the first punch.
I breathe. Count to five in my head.
But Zion moves first.
“Chill the fuck out, hothead,” he says, dropping into one of the chairs and kicking his boots up on the table. “You better learn how to talk to people, and when to shutthe fuck up.”
“That's enough. I don’t want any fights in here,” Carter’s voice slices through the tension, cold and sharp. “You’re not fucking kids.”
“Fuck this. I’m not sticking around while those bastards take over Boston. I’ve got my own problems to deal with, and babysitting this asshole ain’t one of them”
Damon points straight at me.
“Damon,” Emma warns quietly, grabbing his arm. “He’s not worth it.”
I can’t hide it. Just standing near him feels like a bomb ready to blow.
“You better listen to her, baby boy.” Grace leans against the wall, chewing her gum.
I don’t want our entire plan going to hell. I don’t want Nocturne Pact getting dragged down in a war we could actually win. But I know as long as I’m in this room, Damon’s not letting shit slide. Not one inch.
“Fuck it, I’m out,” I say, turning my back and heading for the door.
I can feel the stares burning into me, but I keep walking.
“Smartest thing you’ve said all day,” Vincent sneers behind me, his voice sharp enough to cut skin. I clench my fists, fighting the urge to turn around and snap his fucking neck. I’m not here to spill blood in front of everyone. But they’re pushing it.
“Sit your ass down, motherfucker,” Zion says, nodding toward the chair Vincent just left.
