Page 83 of Always A Villain

Conrad Valentine’s name is stamped across every page.

“What the hell…”

“The logs were altered. It’s a cover-up,” Arsen confirms, voice edged with disgust. “That’s not all. TheAlbatrosis registered under a shell corporation—one that ties back to Antonio DeLuca.”

Marco DeLuca’s fucking brother.

“This is a Dolore smuggling operation,” I growl, the pieces falling into place with sickening clarity.

Arsen exhales sharply. “I knew Conrad was a greedybastard, but I never expected this.” His fingers rake through his hair. “He’s been letting the Dolore traffic weapons and children through our ports.”

I inhale slowly, barely keeping my rage contained. “Then why the fuck did he have me kill Marco?”

“That’s what I don’t get. If Conrad was working with the Dolore, why order the hit?” Arsen shakes his head. “Doesn’t make sense.”

Unless…

Mind racing, I tap the documents. “Maybe Marco got greedy, made a move Conrad didn’t like.” I grit my teeth, jaw grinding. “Either way, this is bigger than us. Conrad has betrayed the Sovereign. He gave the Dolore access, and Salazar retaliated against us to avenge his daughter.”

“All those fathers marching to their deaths—for fucking nothing,” Arsen spits. “The Sovereign wasn’t their enemy. Conrad was.” His nostrils flare. “And now he’s gonna pay for it.”

“Who else knows?”

“No one. You’re the first. Isaac’s too busy keeping the ranks calm. The other Commanders are drowning in fallout. I kept this quiet, but when it gets out…” He exhales heavily.

“Fuck,” I mutter, gripping the edge of the table so tight my knuckles pop.

Arsen meets my gaze. “Couldn’t have done it without you finding the connection on the missing kids.”

“Yeah, thank Rory for that.”

Just then, Griffen strides over, arms crossed. “I’ve got a lead on the bastards who hit us last night.”

I don’t even blink. “And?”

Griffen doesn’t get the chance to answer before Arsen interjects.

“Jesus, you were attacked last night? Fuck, I just heard you crashed your bike.”

“It was a fucking day,” I snap, my patience thin. I turn to Griffen. “Who were they?”

“The Black Eagles. They’re a top tier merc unit. Ran their prints through the databases. These guys don’t take street-level jobs. High-profile extractions only.”

Extractions.

My breath stills. My mind rewinds.

They weren’t a hit team.

They weren’t there to kill me.

They were there totakesomeone.

My pulse kicks up. I scan the room, gut twisting when I don’t see her.

“Rory,” I mutter, my voice rough.

“What?” Griffen’s standing there clueless, and it pisses me off more.