Page 26

Chapter 25

Kobe

I inhale sharply, trying to get as much smoke into my lungs and nicotine into my bloodstream as I can. After all, I need it. Really, really need it.

The USB stick in my pocket feels like it’s burning a hole through it. After weeks of research, cooperation and gathering information, the feds concluded that this is our best shot. Me, somehow managing to plug in that tiny little device into Jasper’s computer, which will give them access to his system and everything on it. I know nothing about hacking, so I believe them. The only problem is the opportunity to get the virus in.

While Jasper has been less aggressive toward me these past two weeks since I’ve stopped talking to Apollo, it’s not like I’m one of the people who would easily have access to his office. Definitely not alone or without a good reason.

And of course, the cameras are still in his office—cameras watching the exact computer I need to get to.

Sighing, I hang my head down and play with the ash that’s fallen down to my feet.

I wonder if Apollo’s doing okay. We haven’t talked or texted since he came to my apartment. If Jasper is recording everyone and everything, he might as well be checking his phone, whether or not Apollo knows about it. So it’s safer to act like what I told him is true. Which means no contact. Nothing but fading, quick glances in the Dollhouse.

Glances that hopefully portray how much I do want to talk to him. And be near him. And touch him.

“Goddammit,” I mutter, dropping the finished cigarette to the ground.

I need to get these feelings under control until everything’s done. I can’t fuck this up.

When I walk in for the first time today, I notice people seem a little restless. There’s supposed to be a meeting in a few, like every other Monday. I didn’t think much of it, besides the possibility of Jasper trying to usurp another piece of the crime kingdom…but now my palms sweat and my throat’s closing up.

“Do you know what this is about?” I ask one of the guys as we both go up the stairs to the office. He shrugs, but it feels like some are privy to more than others. Again .

I’m not the only one being kept in the dark about things, and I’m not the only one hesitant about Jasper’s recent unpredictability. Still, that won’t save any of us from whatever the hell is to come.

The office fills quickly with people. Their many scents blend, but Jasper’s pheromones stand out the most, and they’re not pleasant. Not because it still sends shivers down my spine to smell them, but because of something else. An emotion pulses through that scent, and it’s most certainly not a positive one.

Jasper stands at the front of this desk in that pose he always does when giving us information. Leaning slightly back, muscular arms crossed over his chest, a few of the buttons of his shirt undone to show off his scars and a small patch of hair.

He waits for everyone to settle, making that ominous, stony expression before raising his eyes. “I called you in here today…cuz there’s a rat among us.”

The world spins the instant he says it. My pulse quickens and my lungs constrict. I do my best to not show reaction, to push through the urge to throw up.

It can’t be me. Right?

No, it… We’ve been careful. And Apollo… No, he wouldn’t.

He wouldn’t, would he?

For a moment, it feels like I’m going to pass out, until I draw in a quiet, deep breath, realizing that Jasper isn’t looking at me, and neither are any of the few men who don’t whisper and glance among each other over the revelation. This is about someone else.

“Don’t we, Grayson?” he says, voice as cold as death, and lazily shifts his gaze to him.

I am not the only one to turn in the man’s direction with lips parted in surprise. Grayson? The short, tattooed guy I’ve never talked to properly. To be honest, he barely seemed to be around. After this, he won’t be around at all. That much is clear.

With his eyes wide, he shakes his head vigorously, glancing toward the door, but two of Jasper’s inner circle members already make their way to him. Gibbs blocks the exit with his hulking frame. His face is nearly more terrifying than Jasper’s. There’s nothing in there. No soul deep down, and therefore nothing he wouldn’t do to a traitor like the one in front of him.

Jasper sneers. “You were informing the Snakes, weren’t you? Thought you were fucking clever.” His pheromones waft through the air, and while the other alphas can sense them, I’m the only one who feels like I’ll be brought down on my knees again. I tighten my hands into fists and clench my teeth, trying to seem unaffected. Especially watching the color leave Grayson’s face as it occurs to him he’s probably going to die in this room.

The Yellow Snakes. The gang Jasper put his father’s murder on. Of course they would try to strike back somehow.

“Pl-please, no I wasn’t. I—”

Gibbs steps away from the door and toward him, punching him in the stomach with full force.

Chuckling, Jasper watches Grayson fall down, kneeling in front of him while he writhes in pain and tries to catch his breath. “Right. So your pretty little sister’s husband has no connection to them, hm? Or your cousin? I admit, you hid yourself quite well. You were a smart little rat, but there’s only so much that tiny pea brain allows you to do, you know?” Jasper makes a step in, towering over the poor guy. He doesn’t even have the courage to look up at him. I wouldn’t either. “And the lifespan…hmm, not very long for rodents.”

“I’m s-sorry,” Grayson whispers.

“Pathetic cunt.” Jasper kicks him in the ribs, finally letting out some of that anger that must be smoldering inside. “At least stand up for your fucking actions like a man.”

He kicks him again before snatching his shirt and pulling him up. I blink sharply when Grayson tries to take a swing at him—probably out of pure desperation. Jasper seems amused. He laughs maniacally while he grabs him by the throat and twisting his arm behind his back, most likely breaking it. The scream Grayson lets out does sound like that sort of scream. Like bones cracking and muscles burning.

“Too fucking late for that,” Jasper snarls, striking him again, “you pathetic, diseased, disgusting pest.” And again. And again. To the ribs, to the head, kneeing him in the balls until he falls on the ground. He continues kicking, baring his teeth like an animal. “No, no, no… Hey!”

Going down on his knee, Jasper grabs Grayson’s swelling face. His left eye is closing shut, and blood runs from his nose and the wound on his forehead. With a low whimper, he lifts his gaze to him.

“Don’t you pass out just yet,” Jasper says through his gritting teeth. “Before you go, I want you to know that your little sister—your entire fucking family—are getting the worst possible fate imaginable. I will make sure of that, understand? They’ll suffer and they’ll know you were the source of it all.”

There it goes; the bile in my throat is bubbling up again.

Pressing my lips together, I anxiously glance around to study the faces in the room. Some look almost excited, as if relishing in an entertaining performance. I wonder if those whose expressions are neutral and emotionless are like that to hide whatever they’re really feeling like me. I have to believe not everyone here is a monster enjoying this.

Grayson makes some kind of sound, one of anguish or maybe anger, before Jasper punches him again. Several teeth clack against the floor as they scatter out like pearls from a broken necklace.

“Oh, I was gonna make you watch,” he continues, the vicious excitement in his voice growing louder. “I was gonna ravage your sister in front of you and rip her apart, but I couldn’t stand the thought of you living another hour.”

With those words, he pulls out a knife, and I’d expect Jasper to plunge it into his chest, or maybe cut his throat but no… He lifts him with a grunt, Grayson’s raggedy body barely balancing on his wobbly knees, and slices his stomach open from side to side. Blood pours out. Intestines spill and bulge out of him as Grayson’s agonizing screams turn into whimpers and then jerky, rattling gasps.

My eyes burn and skin hurts as I watch the carnage unfold. The room fills with the scent of death. Pure, unmistakable stench of death that no pheromone could ever overpower.

Jasper stands over the body, now spread lifelessly on the ground. Wiping the blood off his face with his sleeve, he’s catching his breath like he was just in the middle of a completely different ordeal. To him, maybe it was close. I see the outline of his cock in his pants; not entirely hard, but definitely excited.

Insane fucking psychopath.

Still panting, Jasper looks up. “Gibbs?”

“Yes, boss?” he replies without a hint of emotion.

“Take his body. Make sure his whore of a sister sees it. Make sure it is in her room at all times. And tell Joseph to do whatever the fuck he wants to ensure she and the others suffer.”

A smirk passes over his lips. It sends shivers down my spine. “Will do,” he says, coming up to grab the limp body. Gibbs throws it over his shoulder like it’s nothing and walks out.

Everyone else stands around hesitantly. A few of those who were laughing before now look close to turning green. I guess they aren’t as tough as they believed themselves to be.

“If there’s any other vermin in this room, I guarantee you’ll end up the same way, so end yourself or get your fucking shit together. Because I always… always find out.” Jasper throws that warning into the void, voice gruff and low.

Anxiety is palpable in the air. People share unsure, nervous looks.

“Now get out,” he barks, licking his lips with the final, deep exhale before his breathing returns to normal and his back straightens up proudly.

I want nothing but to escape this room of death. I want nothing else than to get somewhere alone and collapse against a wall, letting my hands tremble as much as they want and maybe even throw up. I want to chain smoke the entire pack on me and I want the cold outside air to smack me in the face…but my brain stops, buzzing with an idea. As absolutely insane as it is, this is a perfect opportunity.

While the guys pour out into the hallway, I make careful steps toward Jasper. “Want me to clean this up, boss?” Maybe it’s just fear that drives me when I ask that question. Bone chilling, terrifying fear of ending up the same. With every passing second, I risk Jasper finding out. Somehow. Some way. I need to do this now.

He looks up at me from cleaning his knife into his shirt, face marked with suspicion, but only for a moment. His eyes stay narrowed for a few seconds before he tilts his head and glances down at the absolute mess of blood and various body…matter…that’s seeping into the carpet.

“Right,” he mutters. “This shirt’s fucking ruined. Fuck. Gotta change…” Anger returns to his voice, almost like the thrill of the kill faded and now only the ugly reality remains. But I don’t want to think about that. I don’t care about his twisted psyche. As long as I can use this opportunity.

“I’ll go fetch the cleaning stuff,” I say with a firm nod. This could be my chance to be left in the office alone, without suspicion.

I head downstairs. My plan is shaky at best, but it’ll have to do. I need to hope to get enough time to put that USB in. The tech person on the feds’ team said I will only need to confirm it and let it download. It shouldn’t take long. Still, it’s going to be risky.

My stomach twists on itself again. This entire ordeal will give me ulcers.

I stop in my tracks when I see Apollo through the door into the Dollhouse on my way to the cleaning room. Everything inside me screams, my every instinct urging me to act. I burst in a little too loudly, so people turn in my direction with dissatisfied glares. But so does Apollo. He sees me and thankfully pays attention to the frantic manner I dart my eyes to the side, signaling him to come.

To not raise suspicion, he takes a while to follow me, meeting me in a quiet hallway behind the door.

“Kobe?” he asks, stopping by me with his brows furrowed.

He looks concerned. Not as concerned as he’ll be after I ask him what I need. “Listen to me,” I say, grabbing at his hands. I look around us, swallowing hard before speaking, hoping no one’s nearby to overhear. Those beautiful eyes fixate on me, and I can’t help but draw in the scent of him. The touch feels so nice. “Jasper just murdered a man in his office. He was a spy for another gang. I’m cleaning the mess he left behind. He seems to be in a…curious state. A state you could use to distract him.”

“Distract him?” Apollo’s concerned expression changes to one of alarm. “Wh…what do you want me to do?”

He’s not asking me for details. He trusts me.

Oh, I need his help so badly right now.

I lean in and lower my voice, mainly as an excuse to be closer. “He said he was going to change. Wherever that is, I need you to make sure he takes longer than a minute or two. Can you do that? Can you… soothe him while I do this?” I feel disgusted asking him that. Like it’s wrong and dirty of me to do that. Jasper might have been his lover for some time, but this is different. I’m asking Apollo to use him and to use his own body the way it isn’t meant to be used. To lie and pretend.

“Okay,” Apollo says sharply.

I anxiously study his face for signs of hesitance. His eyes dart across me with worry, but he seems determined. In his gaze, I see he understands this is a part of some greater plan and he…just trusts me on it.

“I’ll go get him. It won’t be hard to tempt him, believe me,” he remarks with a faint smirk.

I can’t help myself but to reach for him and press my lips against his. Apollo breathes into my mouth, almost a sigh of relief, as we both close our eyes and lean into each other, even if only for a few moments.

We pull away again quickly.

“Don’t let him smell you on me,” he mutters, averting his gaze. I notice his cheeks are flushed, making me want to touch them that much more. “By the time you get back there with the cleaning stuff, we should be gone,” he says and leaves. Something tells me he does it without even looking at me so that he’s not tempted to hesitate and ask more questions.

Apollo was right. When I return to the office, it is empty.

I leave the door cracked open so I can hear if someone’s coming—and to avoid suspicion—before dropping the bucket of water, the mop, and other equipment to the side.

The camera. You’re being watched , I remind myself, and try my best to act like someone who doesn’t know about the camera recording them.

The splatters of blood had gone seemingly everywhere, which works to my benefit. I start mopping up the worst, swiftly but carefully, so that I look the part of a good, meticulous little soldier who’s simply wiping off the remains of the carnage in all the hidden places. Like at the bottom of the table, where the back of the computer is. That’s where I could plug in the USB.

It should be alarming to me how I’ve gotten used to the scent of blood. It still makes my stomach twist, but I can overlook it. Another reason to get this done; to get away from this life. I don’t want it to change and mold me for the worst any more.

While making sure not to peek at the camera like my subconsciousness constantly urges me to, I manage to remove most of the grossness out of the carpet. I will need another bucket of fresh water to finish, but I don’t know how much time I have.

I need to act now.

Wiping the blood from the table with a wet rag, I cautiously glance to where the computer sits on the floor. It’s all dusty from the back, so surely this might look like I’m just dusting that off, right? If I get underneath the table far enough, the camera shouldn’t see me pulling the USB out of my pocket and plugging it in.

Hearing the dinging sound coming from the screen, I tense up.

I have to confirm it for them to gain access. Shit .

But getting around to the screens will be much harder to do without seeming suspicious. As I try to calm my pounding heart with controlled breaths, I stand up and straighten my back. Don’t look at the camera. Don’t.

Accident. I need an accident.

Determined to do this before my heart explodes, I bend down again, pretending I’m wiping off another smudge I noticed, before I catch my shoulder on the edge of the table on my way back up, making it rattle and nudging it with a painful ‘ow’. Everything on the table moves. Some trinkets topple and fall.

That’s it. The perfect, inconspicuous excuse for me to mess around the front.

Acting like I’m simply trying to rectify my mistake, I hop to the other side, looming over the keyboard and carefully glancing at one of the screens while putting Jasper’s decorations and papers back where they were.

There’s a pop-up window asking me what to do with the device.

Resisting the urge to glance up at the camera above, I gulp and brush my hand over the mouse, hopefully quickly and inconspicuously enough to not be seen. Another window appears, one without any letters, only a progressing download bar.

While flexing my trembling hands, I put everything on the desk together and walk around. I can’t linger too long. Even what I just did might cause suspicion.

No, calm down. There is no way Jasper can go through hours and hours of footage in this room alone. It would take him all day.

He won’t notice. There’s nothing to notice.

I finish wiping all the strains I see, with the rag now completely stained and the water in the bucket resembling more a bucket a butcher would bleed a pig into. As I lean down to pull the USB out, I’m praying I gave it enough time to implant the virus. Checking up on it would risk too much, and the progress was going pretty fast, so it should be fine.

That’s what I keep telling myself as I go back down. And as I stop in the bathroom later to wash and clean the blood from underneath my fingernails.

Like the true magnitude of everything finally hits me, my head goes all light and I have to clutch the sink for a moment to preventing myself from fainting, throwing up, or maybe both at the same time. Closing my eyes, I take deep breaths, fighting off the images of pouring blood inside my mind. The blood, the guts spilling out of that guy, and a scene of Jasper catching me planting that USB, doing the same to me.

“You’re fine,” I whisper. “You did it.”

I force myself to remember the agent’s words. With the background information and the little things they have on Jasper, this will be the last drop for them to finally be able to act. A big raid, a SWAT team, and an ending to this nightmare. Soon . As long as they get what they need out of that computer.

I’ve done my part. Now all I have left to do is pray it’s going to work.