Page 99 of Fractured Future

“You mean it?”

Certainty brightens his crystalline eyes. “Come work for me. No one will ever dare touch you again.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about,” I rush to explain. “I want to prevent more women and girls from getting hurt. And… Well, I want to do something to fix this feeling inside me.”

“What feeling, Em?”

My chest spasms, tightening into a vice.

“This feeling like I want to hurt the whole world.”

Despite sensing Hyland’s presence in the kitchen behind us, I’m entrapped by Warner’s accepting stare. The glimmering, aquamarine ocean appraising me with nothing but concern and care.

A vulnerable part of me wants to dive deep into those calming waves and never resurface. I want to sink into his gaze and surrender my breath for the chance to rest there. Even if only for a second.

“I can’t undo what’s been done, Em.” His forehead creases with deep grooves. “But I can give you the chance to seek justice.”

“Please. That’s all I want.”

“Then join our team. Train. Learn. Let us protect you. In return, we can hunt down the motherfuckers who hurt you… together.”

Footsteps approach then a familiar scarred hand touches my shoulder. With Warner still holding my waist and Hyland’s heat at my back, I’m overwhelmed by them. Their scents. Their promises. The unexpected salvation they’re offering.

“I want to fight these fuckers,” I whisper after gulping. “I want to find Gracie. Gael has to pay for what he’s done.”

“He will.” Warner summons a small smile, his head shaking slowly. “I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this.”

“Agreeing to what?”

If Axel’s high-pitched, singsong voice didn’t announce his arrival, then his loud footsteps would. Warner hastily steps away from me, though Hyland’s paw remains locked on my shoulder.

Axel bounces into the kitchen, an open laptop in hand. “I am never pulling an all-nighter with the intelligence team again. Bunch of boring nerds with zero sense of humour.”

“Then I suggest you stop breaking the team rules,” Warner quips in response. “Thought you would’ve learned after the target practice incident.”

“Didn’t realise working for Sabre fucking Security would come with so many rules.” He deposits the laptop on the counter then moves to the coffee maker. “I hate you guys.”

With an eye roll, Warner rounds the marble slab to take a barstool. His hand automatically drops to his right thigh, massaging where his leg ends and the metal prosthetic begins.

“Well? What did I miss?” Axel looks over his shoulder.

The feeling that gathers in the pit of my belly is equal parts certainty and determination. It steadies my bones and offers me the first pulse of relief since I made that fateful phone call.

“I guess… I’m joining the Anaconda Team.”

CHAPTER 13

EMBER

EXHALE – RARITY

My breath burnsin my airways, forcing the constricted flesh to expand. Each time my feet hit the ground, a flare of pain ignites inside my pounding skull.

How long will 768 take to recover?

I pump my sore legs to run faster, farther. Wishing I could physically escape the sick whispers in my mind.

Get the asset back up and fighting.