Page 9 of No Mercy
“Malicious Intent? What do you mean?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper. Rob glances at me, a flicker of regret briefly passing in his eyes. “Out with it Robert. Stop speaking in riddles.” The executive from earlier interjects, his voice laced with annoyance.
Rob hesitates for a moment but clears his throat before continuing. “It seems that the request came from a high-ranking figure in the Chicago underworld. We’ve just learned that Carter Ashford was connected to a powerful family that once operated there.” The room falls deathly silent, sending a chill down my spine. I lean back in the seat, begging for it to swallow me whole while my heart hammers in my chest as fear seeps into my veins.
“Malicious intent?” I echo, my voice barely above a whisper. Rob sighs, his expression grim. “The individual who requested the surveillance intends to use the information against Carter—potentially to harm him.”
The room erupts in a roar of outrage, but I can’t hear them. My mind is spinning, replaying every detail of the past four days. Every report I filed, every movement I tracked. It was passed to them.
What the fuck have I done?
Once the meeting ends, Mandy and I rush back to her office. I step inside first while she checks to make sure we’re alone before closing the door, locking it behind us. This time, she’s the one walking slowly towards me.
“Eva, listen—” she starts, but I shake my head, motioning for her to stop.
“Mandy, please don’t.” I plead, knowing she’s about to pull me into a hug. I look up at the ceiling, willing the tears to stay put as I try to process what just happened in the meeting moments ago.
“This isn’t your fault, you didn’t know. We can sort this.” she says gently.
But her words don’t help. My chest tightens as I think about Carter. About how I’ve unknowingly handed over his life to someone who wants to destroy it. Blinking back tears, I meet her gaze, my voice trembling. “But what if I’ve made a mistake we can’t fix?”
CHAPTER 6
AXEL
Two hours at the gym,and I’m still no closer to figuring her out. I move between sets on the machines, but my focus keeps drifting to the one thing on my mind.
Eva.
The name sticks in my head like a splinter I can’t dig out.
I finish racking the weights, letting out a sharp breath as the final one slides in to its spot. My phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me back to the moment. But when I pull it, I didn’t expect to see this.
Carter: We need you at the warehouse. Now.
The warehouse. That word alone makes my chest tighten. We only use it when things go sideways. Last time we called an emergency there, it ended with two families dismantled and a bloody mess on our hands. I don’t bother changing or stopping to grab my things. My motorbike keys and helmet are in the office, and that’s all I need. Heading out of the gym, I glance around the empty lot. It’s currently 8pm and Boston’s quiet at this hour, but quiet doesn’t mean safe. Old instincts kick in, and I scan for anything that feels off.
Once I’m sure the coast is clear, I cross the street toward my bike parked by the curb. As I step onto the side walk, a flash of white catches my eye near the gutter. A crumpled scrap of paper flutters faintly in the breeze. I don’t know why I pick it up, but I do. “Always some idiot leaving trash behind,” I mutter, shoving it into my pocket without a second glance.
The bike is right where I left it, gleaming under the dim street light. Swinging a leg over, I settle into the seat, the weight of the machine grounding me. I flick the kickstand up with a practiced motion and grab my helmet, sliding it on until the familiar snugness presses against my temples. With a twist of the key, the engine rumbles to life, low and guttural, the sound cutting through the night air. For a second, it’s the only thing I hear, drowning out the nagging questions buzzing in my head.
I pull out my phone, typing a quick reply with one hand.
Axel: On my way.
The message sends, and I shove the phone into my jacket. Another glance around confirms I’m alone. My fingers grip the handlebars, steady and firm, as I lean forward and give the throttle a twist. The bike surges beneath me, a beast unleashed, the tires kissing the pavement as I roar down the street. The wind cuts sharp against my uncovered skin, but it’s a welcome distraction.
Whatever Carter needs, it’s big. And whatever it is, I’ll handle it. I always do.
The ride to the warehouse doesn’t bring the clarity I need. My thoughts race, sifting through every possible reason for the emergency meeting. Ever since we left Chicago and set up in Boston, we’ve worked to stay under the radar. No bloodshed. No chaos. Just a quiet existence—or as close to one as we can manage. Something must have gone wrong.
As I round the final corner, I see Carter pacing outside the warehouse, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his jacket, while Antonio lingers nearby, watching him. I park my bike beside Carter’s car and pull off my helmet. Before I can even speak, Carter’s by my side, his eyes darting to every shadow like he’s expecting trouble.
“Brothers,” I say, breaking the silence, my tone calm despite the tension knotting my stomach. The warehouse looms in a secluded area, barely illuminated by the flickering streetlights. Shadows stretch across the cracked pavement, and the dark sky above casts an eerie feeling over everything.
“Let’s take this inside shou-” I start, but Carter’s already heading for the door, practically shoving it open. I glance at Antonio, but as usual, his face is unreadable. Ever since an incident that happened just after he turned eighteen, he hasn’t uttered a single word. It’s as if that moment stole his voice, leaving him trapped in a silence that speaks louder than words ever could.
Whatever happened between him and our father remains locked away, a mystery he’s not ready to share. I’ve stopped pushing, knowing it will only make it worse. When he’s ready, he’ll tell me. The steel door groans shut behind us as we step inside. The air is cool and stale while the lights above buzz faintly.
The tension thickens as I take in the scene. Flynn and Carter are already sitting at the table, their faces tight with concern. Ant steps aside to let me pass as he locks the door and moves to hisusual seat at the table in the center of the room. I nod at each of them in turn.
