Chapter 86

***~Draven~***

I couldn’t explain the searing headache that materialised as I reviewed the clip Eddie found. After a few hours of mapping Riley’s whereabouts through traffic cams and private surveillance we finally got a lead. I let out a relieved breath, despite Eddie’s warning about there being some unforeseen situation, one he refused to elaborate it. He thought it best that I watch the video myself.

I focus my attention on the grainy surveillance, years of doing this tended to hone one’s skills. I was able to observe more than the average human. I watch as Riley approached a familiar vehicle, my breathing shallowed as recognition crashed into me. Riley’s gaze wandered to the owner and when he came into view, she immediately lowered her head, her body language screaming indecision. My hands clench at my side at the obvious discomfort she was in. Todd opened the passenger side of the vehicle and Riley folded herself into the seat, her gaze locked forward.

What the fuck was she doing with Todd? I don’t even recall introducing them. It took every ounce of control I had to remain seated, to force myself to watch to the end, when all I wanted to do was find Todd and demand answers. The violent way. I didn’t give a fuck that he was one of our leaders. He’d learn not to mess with what’s mine.

I return my attention to the video, rewinding it to where I’d zoned out from. Todd threw a strange glance back at Riley, my nostrils flared, alarm bells rang in my ears and then I noted Riley’s frame swaying, her hand coming up to her head and then, losing the battle, her head dropped against the window, head down and body limp. I could almost feel the thump mirrored by the odd, rhythm of my heart.

My anger mounted with each passing second, I barely noticed when Eddy disappeared outside to answer a call. Todd remained outside the vehicle, he knocked against the window and when Riley didn’t stir, he retrieved his cell phone to make a call. He remained there for at least a half hour and then other bodies were moving into the frame. I could barely make them out with no prior indication of who they were. But I sure as hell was going to find out.

Todd spoke to the men for a few moments, the conversation becoming heated by the tense body language. Todd began shielding the car door from the men but he was outnumbered. They dragged him away, landing a few blows to his face to disorient him before hoisting him up by either arm, waiting. Todd resisted against the hold but his efforts were futile.

I saw the fourth person then and I growled. Christopher Harper. Todd delivered her directly to the bastard, which meant the men with him were his lackeys. It was surprising that men were still loyal to him with the death sentence I meted out to his supporters.

Christopher pressed forward, listening to an agitated Todd and in response, he retrieved a knife and went to work on Todd. His limp body dropped to the floor.

Christopher turned his attention to Riley. He cracked open the door, his hands coming up to brush the hair back and away from Riley’s face as he stared at her almost reverently. I swallowed past the bile rising in my throat. My fists clenched at my side at the sight of him touching her.

I skate back from the chair after they took Riley away and away from view. Eddie walked back into the room then.

“Todd is awake.” He said before I could speak.

“The fucker isn’t dead?” Good, because I wanted my moment with him.

“A few minutes after Harper left the scene, Todd was found and ambulance called. Our agents moved him to care under our supervision. His emergency contact was your grandfather so his care got vamped up immediately.” Eddie explained.

“Does anyone else know?” I could feel the tremors rocking my nerves.

“No. I didn’t want to risk scaring him into protection.” Eddie advised as if there was any protection that could save him from me.

“We still know where Harper is hauled up?” I question as we move, Riley needed to be in my sight by tonight and usually, I’d head directly to where she was but I needed answers from Todd.

“He hasn’t switched base.”

“Yet, now that he has her he might try to run or use her to broker safety for himself.” My stomach swirling. I never should have left her out of my sight with Harper still in the picture. No, she was safe. I had to remember that Riley went to that location out of her own free will, she drugged Eddie and left me that ridiculous note. Now the only question was why? What would drive her to this?

***

I move to the private wing reserved for our injured members, annoyed that Todd was given this luxury. This was for our agents who risked their lives on missions, not for traitors. His branding as one will follow soon enough.

My shoes clicked against the tile floors, and my mother and grandfather rotated to set their stunned gazes on me, but I was focused on Todd and him on me. His features instantly paled as I move past everyone and stand at the side of his hospital bed. The rage contained within me was manifesting itself by little involuntary twitches in my muscles throughout my body.

“Speak.” I command, unmoved by the tubes and machines hooked up to him. If I didn’t need his knowledge I would have already ripped them all out. I was still tempted to do just that.

“What’s this about?” My mother slid a cautionary hand on my shoulder but I shrug it off.

“Todd here hand delivered Riley to Christopher Harper and I want to know the details.” I pin Todd with my gaze, his sunken features hollowing it further.

“That’s preposterous.” My grandfather’s surprise was heavy, overshadowing my mother’s gasp.

“I have the video footage to prove it,” I threw the words out, impatient for Todd to answer my questions. “Tell me, now.” my voice boomed.

“They took Talia.” His voice was small and that single admission was all I needed to piece together the transaction.

“You traded Riley for her?” I grimaced, the heated debate in the footage making more sense, “Well, you tried to, but you were double-crossed.” I scoff at his answering nod, my mind going back to that note she left me. That was his doing, Riley never wanted to leave me. Hope filled me, soon drowned out by dread. I needed to get to her.

“You should have come to me with Talia’s kidnapping. I would have gotten her back.” I snarled only to realise that Todd should have known that.

“But you didn’t want to get me involved, did you?” My eyes darkened at the realisation.

Todd swallowed hard, “You left my daughter heartbroken, I wanted Riley gone. I hadn’t expected that they’d take Talia to force my hand.” His words blinded me. He had planned to sell Riley out all along, regardless of Talia’s disappearance. I reached for him by the neck, dragging him off the bed. His pained groans filled the room as I brought him face-to-face with me.

“You took the one thing that made me happy.” I hissed, wanting to snap his neck for the sheer impudence, “And you forced her to trade herself to fix a problem you created. Consider yourself lucky that I don’t believe children should pay for the sins of their parents.” I released my grip on him and he fell to the floor. No one moved to help him, his motives were made clear.

“I’ll get them back but you are done here.” I warn as I turn to face my grandfather and mother, “Death is too easy. He is to be shunned from our circles, I want him cleaning up after the new recruits for the three months before his official banishment.” Being labelled a traitor meant the end of your bloodline. The Fulmer’s reign as a member of the caucus was done. No other organisation would dare stand for him. He was done.

“And what about Talia?” My mother’s voice was small, pained even. I knew had fondness for the girl and even if she hadn’t it wouldn’t have altered my mind. “If she wants to follow her father she is free to do so, if not, she can remain under our protection.”

“Will you be able to find them soon?” My grandfather had taken the time to contact our guards, they were taking up their posts. Todd would remain under surveillance for the rest of his stay, his title and rank stripped by tomorrow.

“I’ll have them back by tonight.” I promise as I stalk out of the room. I had Eddy track Harper’s number and it had been searing a hole in my pocket the entire time. I let the call ring as I organise for infiltration.

The moment the call was answered, I snarl into the receiver, “You have something that belongs to me, Harper,” I inhale, channelling that anger into murderous intent. Fear made Harper sloppy and I was counting on it to make my move, “And I’m coming to collect.”

“Who the fuck is-,” I end the call instantly, following the phone call with a message.

Draven: Seems you haven’t seen enough of my work. Don’t worry, you’ll be more involved in the next masterpiece. The Mutilator.