Page 61

CHAPTER 60

Kaden

FOUR MONTHS AGO.

I sit at my father’s old desk and lean back in the leather chair, fingers tapping idly against the armrest, eyes scanning the room.

It’s been five years since he passed away.

Five years since I became the head of the company.

To the general public, my father had a heart attack.

But in truth? It was a high-profile job that went wrong.

Comes with the territory, unfortunately.

Now, I’m the head of a ‘security firm’ that offers elite protection to our clients.

Our company handles all the usual stuff: home security systems, personal protection for CEOs, close protection for the big names.

People think we keep people safe and eliminate threats before they even appear.

They don’t know that we are the threats.

As much as we keep our clients safe, we also destabilize their safety.

People don’t realise how much overlap there is between ‘security’ and the things that happen in the shadows.

But the lines are blurred when you know how to play the game.

Now, I know what you’re thinking…

I’m the bad guy, right?

But that’s not entirely true.

We’ve cleaned up the streets.

No one commits crime in our city unless it’s us.

If they try? They’re dead.

And the crime we commit?

Sure, there’s some abductions, some robberies, but people remain safe and unharmed.

Mostly. It’s a numbers game for us.

The cops work for me.

Or enough of them do to make problems disappear.

I can’t tell you how many deputies have come to me looking for some cash on the side.

And I help them. I make them rich and they stay loyal.

I didn’t have this job handed to me.

I earned it in blood and bone in the trenches.

I spent time in the military.

Spent time undercover.

Did grunt work. I did things that still give me nightmares.

But they’re stories, inked into my skin, never to be told.

I proved myself.

I became a weapon so lethal, no one would ever survive crossing me.

And some days I miss that part of the job.

Now I spend most of my days behind an oak desk in an overpriced suit.

I’m growing restless.

I’m getting bored.

The door clicks open, pulling me from my thoughts.

Callum, one of my lead operatives, walks in without his usual stoic expression.

“Boss, I’ve got a big job for us. Huge.”

I send the boys out in the field to gather new clients.

I don’t like my face to be seen.

It’s a mistake my dad made.

One I don’t plan on repeating.

“So, I take it the golf trip went well?” I ask.

“Better than well. We signed a few new retainers and I met a big fish.” He hands me a file.

I flip through it, seeing a few new retainers for CCTV, access control—completely legal and above board.

Then I get to the interesting bit.

“Michael Ashby, huh?” I say.

“As far as I know, Luca’s boys run the protection for his mining company.”

Luca runs protection for another region.

Does a similar thing to me.

Runs a few hotels and casinos too.

We trade referrals. Like I said, it’s a numbers game.

“Yes, they do, but he’s got a daughter. She lives in our territory.”

Now my interest is piqued.

I keep turning the pages of the file.

“Interesting. Continue, Callum. What’s your proposal?”

“Just a simple abduction,” Callum says.

“Just snatch, ransom and release. You know the cops won’t come knocking. I was thinking we can ask for about 20 mil.”

Physically, we’ll do our best to make sure she’s unharmed.

But something like this?

It doesn’t leave clean scars.

Still… I pretend not to care.

Ruthless gets results.

And he’s right. Financials check out.

Big payday for us.

“Good work, Callum. Have you done some digging on her yet?”

“Yes, I’ve got some basic info,” he says, handing me another file.

Alana. Her photo is clipped to the top of the file.

Stormy grey eyes. Long, honey blonde hair.

Full lips. She’s breathtaking.

Something wild and sharp in her gaze, like a flame someone’s tried to smother but never could.

“I was thinking of getting Samuel to be her tail. Get her routine and routes for us.”

Samuel is one bad day away from relapsing.

He’ll not only screw this up, but he’s going to struggle keeping his hands to himself.

And for some reason, that thought bugs me.

“Samuel?” I raise a brow.

“You think he can keep his shit together for more than an hour?”

Callum shrugs.

“He’s one of our best, fast and invisible.”

“You know what, Callum?” I say.

“I’m bored. Getting tired of sitting behind this desk. I’ll be her tail. It’ll make things exciting again.”

It’s been a while since I’ve been out in the field.

And I miss it. I’m good at it.

I’m good at the tech side of things too and I actually enjoy that part of the job, but nothing compares to the rush of being out in the field.

“Of course, Boss.”

“Nice work, Callum. Big bonus coming your way.”

He grins and leaves, already dreaming about his cut of the ransom.

But I’m not thinking about the money.

I’m thinking about her.