Page 105 of Sadistic Retribution

“What did I ever do to deserve you?” He looks at me in awe. “Thank you, Pazessca.”

He gets up and gives me a raw look as he turns to leave the room.

I really am allowing these boys too much slack, but my heart is calling for them, at the same time. With my emotions intact, everything is even more intense than before.

I pull myself up, running my hands through my hair to tame the curls. A deep breath later, and I’m going back to the kitchen.

Purge

I’m still shaken up by the fact we haven’t heard from our mothers. Every time we call, it either rings out, or goes straight to voicemail. I have a bad feeling we won’t be able to check up on them until we’re out of this hellhole.

It's nice having Harris working alongside me, on his own laptop. Two heads, and all that. There are still some pieces of the puzzle not uncovered yet. The deal with the Solomons, the reason for The Morgue in the first place, who the fuck the seventh family is, and most importantly—who Iskra really is.

I'm searching away on the Dark Web, lost in my thoughts, when Harris yells, jumping up from his seat. “Holy shit—I think I know who the seventh family is!”

I whip my head around. “What? Show me!”

He anxiously points to the screen, explaining what he’s seeing and thinking. My jaw unhinges. I think he’s right. Who exactly are these people? I haven’t heard their name before.

“Are they still around?” I ponder.

“Yes, they sure are. I'm going to dig into them and find out whatever I can.”

“Sounds like a plan. I have a bad feeling though, man. I’m willing to bet all this shit is linked somehow.”

“It’s entirely possible. Thankfully, we have the ZYGOS team working on this also. Their hackers are some of the best.”

I nod, pleased to hear that. “I’m going to take a break and stretch my legs and get some food. Can I get you anything?”

“Yeah, a sandwich or something would be great.”

“You got it.” I go use the bathroom, then come back into the kitchen to make a couple of sandwiches. As I'm shutting the fridge door, Iskra comes in. She looks well-rested.

“Hi, beautiful, How are you feeling?” I ask.

“Better, thanks.” She reopens the door, grabbing out a bottle of water.

That's just too polite for me. Before I can think it through, I go over, draw her into my arms, lift her in the air, and twirl her before setting her back onto her feet. She lets out a delighted squeal, cheeks tinging pink. On impulse, I lean in for a small kiss. To my surprise, she actually kisses me back.

I grin, satisfied with a good response from her. “Love you madly, Iskra.”

She just shakes her head. “Incorrigible—all of you. Love you back, Purge.”

She goes back out to the living room. I go to the kitchen table, handing Harris his sandwich.

Without looking at me, he deadpans, “I don’t plan to share anytime soon. Just so you know.”

I snort. “Good luck with that.”

“Get back to work, punk,” he laughs.

Chapter 37

Hunter

I'mdeep in concentration floundering my way through a complicated program when my phone buzzes on the table next to me. I glance at it, seeing it’s a video call from Jax. A video call? That's a first. It must be important.

I pick it up. “Yeah?”