Page 30 of Falling for A Lie

Speaking to them as tiny children, instead of almost fully grown Pitbulls, seems pretty hilarious, “Hello, my darlings, are my babies hungry? And these mean old guys haven't fed you yet? Mommy has you babies, it's okay.” I open the fridge and grab two eggs from the carton and the beef liver as well. I make my way back to the kitchen counter place everything down, and then scoop their food into their bowls before mixing the egg and liver in. The dogs look at me with their tongues hanging out the sides of their mouths as their impatience only makes their bulky frames vibrate in anticipation for the food that they're about to devour like wild beasts instead of well-trained dogs. I hold up my hand and signal for them to stay as I walk back to where their bowls are placed, as I turn on their automatic water pipes that allow fresh water to enter their bowls.

With one word, I have their attention, and they are at my heels, waiting for the okay to start eating like the obedient, good boys they are. “Chow.” Without a moment's hesitation they are feasting.

Moving from my boys, I make my way back to the fridge to grab myself something to eat, the threats that Josephine throws at me has me opting out from something heavy and grabbinga granola bar and coke. If Scarlett wouldn't have stopped me, I would have stabbed the bitch where she stood and went about my night like nothing ever happened.

The fact that since I took the job opportunity from them last month, I have found six rats in our ranks and thirteen threats I personally delivered the killing blow to them all without hesitation and without remorse.

You'd think the bitch could show me the respect I was owed after I've sacrificed my moral compass to make sure they're not getting murdered in their beds by the Lords they're supposed to be equal with. How ironic that truly is.

The sound of footsteps coming up behind me has Sirius and Draco by my side, their teeth barred at whoever it is.

“Little Mama, call the pugs down. We want to debrief with you before heading to bed.” Miles stands with Finn at his side, the girls no longer in sight and probably already in bed. I was surprised they were up later than normal, waiting for my return with these two.

Draco growls lightly at Mile's, his ass on the cold ground in front of his brother as he waits for me to give him his next order. As Sirius sits beside me, his body is pushed as close to mine as he possibly can be without being in my lap.

“Now, Miles, you know Draco hates to be referred to as a pug. You're just asking to rile him up.” I reach down and softly pat Sirius’ head as I lean a little bit more forward, whispering the command to Draco, which has him turning his back andcoming to join his brother beside me, no longer focusing on Miles or Finn, allowing the men to come and sit across from me at the kitchen island, folders resting in their arms waiting for me to look them over.

“Do we really need to do this tonight, or can we please do it in the morning? I'm so exhausted from all the running and jumping Scar and Josie had me doing today.” I groan out the pathetic excuse and add the sad eyes for optimal effect. All I get in return is laughter and the shaking of their heads.

“No, can-do, Little Mama. There's some stuff in here I think might interest you.” He slides the opened folder to me, and pictures of Caden leaving a seedy-looking cabin that looks like something from the wrong turn have me looking up at the men in front of me.

“What the fuck is this?” I motion at the picture with an abject of curiosity. Why the fuck is Caden out there of all places?

“Looks like Scar's pretty boy is hooked on that powder.” Miles' accent slowly slipped through the cracks. He's tried so hard to block his accent because he says he hates it. I, on the other hand, think he sounds like every woman's wet dream, especially when he calls me ‘Little Mama.’

The thought has me shaking my head slightly. Damn, I need to get laid soon. It's been way too long.

“Earth to Soren!” Finn waves his hand in my face, trying to force me out of my sexed crazed daydream I found myself insince seeing Caden's face again. The last man I fucked and the last man to see me in that vulnerable position.

“How many times has he been there?” I look up, shutting the folder to clear my head a little more so I can stay focused on the topic at hand.

“Do you want a daily or monthly number, baby girl? Because both numbers are shocking.” Finn says with a slight roll of his eye that matches the irritation in his voice.

“Yeah, I guess.” The sickening feeling rolling through my guts made me place my half-eaten granola bar on top of the counter, and my appetite was now lost.

Finn sighs, looking at the half-eaten bar like it's offended him personally as he grinds his teeth, his eyes going from it to my face. “Eat the rest, and we'll tell you. I know you haven't eaten all day, Soren. That's not healthy.” Miles mumbles his agreement, taking back the folder from my view and shutting it.

“I just don't feel like eating right now; I'm tired.” I look at them both, hoping they will give up and continue so we can be done with this part. Given the size of the folder, we are going to be here all night if we don't get the ball rolling.

But men are stubborn, and these men, in particular, really love to act like my boss when they believe I'm not taking care of myself like I need to.

We sit in utter silence for five minutes before I finally give in and eat the other half of the granola bar, begrudginglycursing the two men before me with each bite. The smiles that grace their dumb faces make me want to throat-punch them both. They watch me eat and my mouth like they'd be happy to take over for the granola bar, touching my lips instead.

As I take the last bite with the exaggerated snap of my teeth, I wave my hand for them to continue. I'm now tired, irritated, and, for some weird reason, horny.

“Well, as we were saying, Little Mama. He goes to the dealer on the seedier side of Ashford at least thirty times, if not more, a month. He has been seen going into the actual cabin of horrors ten times in one day, always leaving with the same brown sack and always racing like his ass is on fire to get away. I can't say we blame him. The smell and vibe out there is disgusting and makes your skin crawl like a thousand tiny little ants are making their way over your flesh.” Miles visibly shakes as if he can feel said “ants” now by just recounting the information back to me.

I sit there taking in the new information and wondering if I should let Scarlett know that her golden boy is hanging around a known drug house that dabbles in the skin trade or if I should keep it to myself. We weren't necessarily trying to get information on any of the guys, but a target we've been looking for also frequents the area. We were trying to see if he followed a pattern that would allow us to snatch him without witnesses seeing us.This information on Caden was just an added bonus we could use to its advantage if the need arose.We'd shelve it for later use.“Okay, we'll keep this to ourselves for the time being. What's next?“ I lean forward with my head propped up on my palms, my elbows digging into the granite countertops as I wait for whatever else that needs my attention instead of the sleep my body and mind so desperately need.

Miles gazes at me warily before he begins to speak, revealing what I need to know, even though it pains me. “We spotted Jace and who I'm assuming is Alec at Ben’s house when we went to collect the paperwork he had been gathering for us on them. They were leaving with six black trash bags in tow, and their clothes were ruffled and stained with blood. We didn't approach the house until they had left, ensuring the coast was clear. However, once we entered, it felt like we had stepped into a bad horror film. Blood was everywhere, and the furniture lay toppled at odd angles as if it had been overturned for protection or thrown aside to deter their advances. Nothing remained of Ben; it was as if he had vanished, leaving only blood behind. We carefully combed through the scene until we discovered the hidden safe where he kept the important documents. Cleo is currently opening it for us. She will have it done by morning, and hopefully, we will be closer to bringing those sick fucks down. We are sorry about Bennington, Ren. We know he was a close friend and that he was also the reason you knew to escape after the attack. Hopefully, he left us with something in that safe that we can use to avenge him.”

My mind feels like a muddled, dark cloud as his words sink into my consciousness: Ben is dead. Ben is gone. He was my first friend and the first boy who ever confessed his love to me, and I knew he meant every word.

Tears began to stream steadily down my cheeks at the thought of Ben dying a horrific death at the hands of those monsters. I had pleaded with him to join me for his own safety, but he refused. He insisted that they would find him, which would ultimately lead them to me. He wouldn’t put the girl he loved in any more danger than I was already in. He deserved to live and not be ensnared in the chaos that Jace had inevitably created the night he attempted to kill me.

I don't realize I'm shaking with each sob until both men round the island and wrap me in a tight embrace that feels as if they are pushing all of my broken parts together. Draco and Sirius prod at my legs to get my attention and help ease me from the panic attack I didn't know I was experiencing.

The words feel as though they are coming from someone else, not from my own lips, as I state the painfully obvious to the last two trusted men in my life: “Ben moved to be closer to me; he lived only half an hour away in the neighboring town. Jace knows where I am now, or he’s beginning to piece it together. How long do we have until the monster is at my front door, trying to finish what he started?” Ice courses through my veins as the final piece of the puzzle falls into place. Only a select few knew where Ben had relocated.Scarlett had ensured he secured an informant position in The Lord's ranks. He no longer went by his first name unless you were part of The Valkyries or the group of Lords who swore him in; to others, he was known by an alias. So, how did Jace and Alec find him if it wasn't a traitor who informed them? Someone must have tipped off those two, and if that's the case, my fears of being discovered are more real than I had anticipated. I will need every available hand to help protect my sisters and the family I have built within The Valkyries over the past month.