Page 55 of Wicked Devotion
“For the others, mostly.”
Not even Mexico is far enough away to outrun the death grip he seems to have on the task force.
“Just stay with me,” Red says, laughing as he nudges my arm. “Never understood why you play lapdog for this general. And for such a miserable salary, too, you could make so much more money if you work for me.”
“You know I don’t give a shit about money.”
“Every man has a price, Cabrera. I just haven’t found yours yet.”
“How much are we talking?” I joke, entertaining his fantasy a little.
It’s not that I don’t like Red. If anyone deserves to be called family, it’s him. He lost good men because of me and took me in when I was at my lowest. A brother, not through blood shared, but through blood spilled. And I would lie if I said that his offer isn’t tempting.
I like his place and his line of work. Simple orders; capture and kill, without all those rules, politics, and ass-kissing. The perfect way to use my talents, as the man responsible for my existence would have put it.
“Told you everyone has a price,” he says, gleaming at me. “I need a new right-hand man. Butcher’s currently busy with other tasks.” He sighs, downing the rest of his beer in one go before he leans forward in his chair.
“Thirty percent of my revenue. Free accommodation, obviously. All the weapons and equipment your heart desires. Without accounting asking questions.”
in your room, asleep, I guess
go check on her
Okayyy
I won’t take Red up on his offer. I can’t, not even if he promised me a damn tank.
Max doesn’t like it here, and not just because of the humidity. He’s good at what he does. Enjoys all that blowing up and defusing stuff and always comes back with the brightest, proudest smile when he gets to teach some of the recruits.
It’s a shame his potential is wasted anyway.
A blaring voice comes from inside Red’s office and snaps me out of my unnecessary considerations. Red and I jump up at the same time while I curse myself for leaving my gun with Max.
Rockwell is storming my way, so angry that Sam has to hold him back. Sam, who’s also sporting a look full of disappointment.
“Was that your plan all along?” Rockwell snarls, his face just inches away from mine. “To keep the boy for your entertainment until you say fuck it and leave?”
“This has nothing to do with Max. I’m surprised you found the courage to come at me like this, given how deep your head is up Sanders’ ass. The same goes for you,” I add, glaring at Sam. “So stop acting like you give a shit about Vaughn.”
“Watch your fucking mouth.”
Rockwell pushes me, and when I find my footing again, I raise my fists. Before I can do something I won’t regret, Red grabs me, and Sam pulls Rockwell away from me.
“Have a problem hearing the truth, Arthur?” I yell. “Just say it like it is. Admit that you’re out of your depth with the Delaney situation and the shit Sanders does. You just want to ship Max somewhere else so that he’s no longer your problem,but we all know there’s going to be a new Sanders. Because that’s just how this organization works, and I won’t watch Max perish for some fuckinggreater good.”
“Do you think sticking your nose in stuff that doesn’t concern you makes you all-knowing?” Rockwell screams back.
“Anything regarding Maxismy concern.”
“Yeah, because you want the pleasure of ruining him for yourself, right?” Rockwell tries to get out of Sam’s hold but fails.
“Think I don’t see it? How he sneaks out of your room whenever you tell him to fuck off? How he would break his own back just to please you? He’s too young, too naive. Refuses to see that you’ll never give him what he needs because you fucking can’t, Logan. You’re bad for him, and if you had a sliver of decency in you, you would let him go before you cause a wound so deep it’ll never heal.”
God, I wish I had broken his jaw minutes ago. I relax my body until Red no longer holds me back. Sam gets in front of Rockwell as I stalk over to them, and soon, we’re both trying to push him away. With a sigh, Sam steps to the side.
“I know what’s good for him. You don’t. None of you really know shit about him. Do you think I ran after him? That I courted him, begged him to be with me like I’m a desperate mess?”
Rockwell opens his mouth to say something, but I yell over him.
