Page 149 of Fractured Future

Distracting myself by checking my dark cargo trousers, bulletproof vest and attached gun holster, I try to ignore the weight of his gaze on me.

They all seem hyper-aware of the fact that Blaine is here. Sure, I’m hyper-fucking-aware of that fact too. He’s half the reason I’m here.

I want to look that snake in the eye and demand to know what his game plan is and how he knows Gael. What I don’t appreciate is being treated like Blaine is some kind of sore spot for me.

He showed his true colours. Communication was cut. End of story. I don’t care about him or his crew. I’ll be professional tonight and ensure he’s in cuffs.

“We have a few agents on standby at the rendezvous point three blocks over,” Warner continues explaining. “Should you need to, you can call for backup. No injuries tonight, please.”

“Only theirs.” Axel cracks his knuckles, flexing dark swirls of ink. “The fatal force rule doesn’t apply to me, right?”

Everyone gapes at him like he’s joking. Only the punchline never comes. It rarely does with Axel.

“What?” He glowers back.

“Yes.” Warner wearily rubs his jaw. “It does apply to you. Perhaps even more so.”

“Hang on, I didn’t sign up to dance with these motherfuckers. You can take some alive, but I reserve the right to break a few skulls tonight.”

“He has a point,” Kyle mumbles.

Shooting a thumb’s up at his co-conspirator, Axel smirks at me. I wink in return. We need some of them alive, but if he wants to crack a few skulls, I can think of no one more deserving than these operatives.

“Enough!” Warner snaps. “Everyone in position, prepared to advance.”

All making agreeing sounds, we fan out into two separate groups. Archer exchanges a few words with Hyland before leading his team from the building to find their place outside.

Tailbone still propped against the white wall, I watch my three teammates confer. I didn’t sleep a wink last night in anticipation of the raid. Coupled with my recent symptoms, this feels like a shitty idea.

But after spending all these weeks working tirelessly to be ready for this exact moment, I’m not going to admit defeat that easily. I’ve fought under worse conditions. I just need to focus and hunt down Blaine.

A spasm in my hand causes me to look down at my contorted fingers, twitching and jerking tellingly. I quickly curl them into a fist before anyone can notice.

Not now. Not now.

Wandering over to me, Warner summons a smile. “Ember? You ready?”

“Sure. Lead the way.”

“You’ve got this. Just keep calm.”

“Yes, boss.”

I feel far too vulnerable to meet his eyes. Not after the state he saw me in a couple of days ago. He’s checked in regularly since my breakdown, ensuring I’m up for my first mission.

As sweet as it is, his fussing only reminds me of the utterly broken state he found me in that day. I never want anyone to see me like that. Even if I allowed him to in a moment of weakness.

“Remember to follow our lead, stay alert and watch your back.” His hand is a warm on my lower back as we walk towards Axel and Hyland. “We’re going to get to Madden while the others take care of the spineless fucks who’ll inevitably flee.”

“He won’t go down without a fight.”

“I’m counting on it.” Warner’s hand leaves my back to rest over the pistol tucked into his hip holster. “I’d like to have a word with that cunt.”

“Wait your turn,” Axel throws at him.

“Like you’ll even get a chance, pup,” Hyland scoffs. “He’s mine.”

“Enough dick measuring,” Warner snarls at them. “We’ve got enough of that going on with these other fools as our backup.”