Page 46 of Fractured Future

“Christ. You’re right; I am scared off.”

Swallowing my mouthful, I almost choke on a laugh. “Says the woman who became a vicious street fighter for the cartel. I couldn’t scare you even if I tried.”

Her fingers lift to cover her wry smile. “Probably not.”

Beyond the two men I share my life and home with, there aren’t many people who stick around once they get a glimpse of my madness. I wonder if she’ll stay when she gets a real look.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” I drawl.

Ember hesitates, her mouth creasing in trepidation. “What do you know about Blaine Madden?”

Munching another two gummies, I attempt to decipher her expression. Her eyes are darting around like she’s trying hard not to appear interested.

“That mess was before my time,” I answer carefully. “Something to do with a big case a few years back involving an organised crime family.”

“In the UK?”

“I believe so.”

“Huh.” She nods to herself. “Um, he called himself their enemy. Sabre, that is. Warner too.”

“I’d imagine he is.”

“Do you know why?” she prods.

“I guess the guy was thrown in prison for racketeering and a lifetime’s worth of drug charges. Next I hear, he’s escaped and vanished off the face of the earth.”

“Wait… Seriously?”

“Yup. Never to be seen again. Until now, apparently.”

By the time the plastic bag is empty, she’s zoned out. That criminal fuck clearly got under her skin. I don’t know the bastard, but I want to cave his head in just for stealing her attention from me.

“What are you going to do when you get home?” I attempt to redirect her scattered thoughts.

Ember startles before her gaze returns to me. “What do you mean?”

“The investigation is ongoing. You’ll have to cooperate, but you’ll be offered protection too.”

“Oh.” Ember nods slowly. “Shit, I didn’t even think about that. I have no idea. I’m not sure what I’m even going home to. I’m sure my apartment is gone by now.”

“Would it help if I told you that Warner spoke to Tom?”

She visibly recoils. “How did it go?”

“After he finished screaming at him to put you on the phone?”

“Ah, crap. I should’ve known he’d react like that.”

We’ve met enough times over the past eighteen months for me to think her brother’s a decent bloke. He was heavily involved in my transfer into Sabre and all its legal ramifications.

“It was a tense phone call. Warner didn’t reveal much, but Tom will be waiting for us when we land. It took almost an hour of convincing to stop him from flying straight here.”

Ember brings her hands up to her face, hiding herself from my sight. “He’s overprotective. Always has been.”

“Sounds like that’s been dialled up to a million now.”