Chapter 419 Under Fire

Chapter 419 Under Fire
Hope Elara's POV

"That is seriously disrespectful," Violetta said over the phone. "I would've fired her already."

"Same," Perry agreed. "Jonas would've hung her by her big toes."

She leaned forward.

"I can work on a privacy agreement to put everyone at ease once we launch."

"This system is meant to help the entire pack."

"We'll have traffic cameras."

"Twenty-four-hour beach surveillance."

"We can almost guarantee crime will go down."

"It'll also create a lot of new jobs."

"Sure, I'll have access to it, but your people will be the ones running everything."

I frowned.

"Shouldn't I have known that sooner?"

"We need to start training people."

"Justin is already working on it," Perry replied.

"Your Beta should be organizing that."

"Did the two of you ever talk about it?"

I let out a tired sigh.

"She wanted to hire the woman who started the petition to throw me out."

"Alpha Rizen almost killed the last person she recommended."

"I already have four reports of those two trying to kill each other."

"Fire her," Violetta said, her voice turning serious.

"She's going to make you look bad in court."

"She could even change the bills."

"I wouldn't trust her at all."

"Neither would I," Perry agreed.

"Why don't you let me see what's going on?"

I blinked.

"You mean... spy on her?"

"Yes," they both answered without a hint of humor.

"It'll only take a couple of hours," Perry said.

"Jordan is here."

"We're good at snooping."

I hesitated.

"I mean... if you really think it's necessary."

"It is," Violetta said with a laugh.

"Go, Perry."

"I'll see you later."

Perry waved before ending the call.

"She's not going to do anything crazy, is she?" I asked.

"Not unless she has to," Violetta replied.

"Now, here's what you need to do."

"Review the elder portfolios."

"Interview each of them."

"I'm sending you the questionnaire my brother uses."

"It also explains what each position requires."

"It's traditional."

"But it works."

"Thank you."

"I honestly don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd figure it out," she said with a smile.

"How are things with Alpha Barnes?" I asked.

She let out a long breath.

That answer was enough.

"I don't know."

"Sometimes we're doing great."

"Then he suddenly changes."

"He says I spoil Vince too much."

"Vince says I always take Barnes' side."

"I'm only trying to stay neutral."

"Have you tried locking them in a room together?"

She burst out laughing.

"Are you crazy?"

"They'd kill each other."

"Or..." I smirked.

"They might finally stop fighting and sleep with each other."

"I wish," Violetta laughed.

"I honestly think that's what they need."

"But they're both stubborn."

"How's everything at RT?"

"The new CEOs are doing an amazing job."

"I finished the reports last night."

"The first City of Elara building is already a success."

"The warehouse renovation is moving along."

"There was a lot of water damage."

"Thanks to you, that side of the city is coming back to life," she said.

"We've been restoring the houses."

"They're selling fast."

"Vince and Aresen are excited."

"It's bringing in a lot of business."

"That's great."

"I know Valduz can seem a little cold when something big happens."

"Perry is the same."

"We're trying to shut down these breeding programs."

"They're extremely dangerous."

"Some creatures became extinct for a reason."

"Our inter-racial laws exist to prevent things like this."

"A werewolf and mare hybrid could destroy a city the size of Magique in a single night."

Violetta's voice turned serious.

"When I joined the syndicate, this was what we were fighting for."

"To stop mass murder."

"To prevent genocide."

"We've done a lot of terrible things."

"But we've also stopped much worse."

"If it weren't for us, humans wouldn't exist anymore."

"That's why I stayed with the Thornes for so long."

"We become the monsters... so innocent people don't have to."

I wiped my tears.

I understood what she meant.

I really did.

But there was still a part of me that couldn't accept it.

The part of me that believed every life mattered.

The part that still remembered how impossible my own survival had been.

"Thanks, Vy."

"You should come over."

"Bring Crazy with you."

"I know she's dying to get you on the damn jet."

"We'll have a girls' night."

"Perry and I will get drunk for you."

"And we'll go craving hunting."

"Deal?"

"I'll ask her as soon as she gets back."

"Good."

"I have to go."

"Duty calls."

"I'll email the questionnaires."

"And remember..."

"If they can't even work out how to send an email, they don't belong anywhere near your office."

I laughed softly.

"Thanks."

The call ended.

I set my tablet aside and looked at the portfolios Allison had left for me.

After thinking it through, I started writing Allison's termination notice.

I no longer wanted her representing me in court.

When I finished, I opened the resumes.

Using Violetta's questionnaire and job requirements, I matched each candidate as best I could.

Then I sent the emails.

By the time I finished, it was a little after four.

I grabbed my keys to pick up the twins from training.

Just then...

My phone rang.

My heart skipped when Valduz's picture appeared.

"Hey."

"Hey," he said.

"We're on our way back."

"Do you want us to bring anything?"

"Pizza?"

He chuckled.

"You got it, Angel."

"I'll see you soon."

The call ended.

I stared at my phone.

Had they finished?

Did they find what they were looking for?

Had something changed?

My hand reached for the radio.

Then I stopped.

Instead, I slipped my phone into my pocket and headed out.

Violetta's words stayed with me as I drove toward the school.

Children ran toward their parents with backpacks, drawings, and bright smiles.

For a moment...

Everything looked normal.

I parked beside the gate where Zoey's class always came out.

A few feet away, Zenep and Melody were playing with several girls.

Zenep's face lit up the moment she spotted Zoey's class.

I got out and adjusted the three car seats.

Zoey laughed as the girls greeted him.

He introduced them to a few of his friends.

The three of them waited until everyone else had left before he pointed toward me.

"Mommy!" Zenep shouted.

"Hope Elara!" Melody cried as they both ran over.

I laughed and crouched to hug them.

Zoey didn't run.

But he looked just as happy.

"Come on."

"Let's get everyone buckled in."

Zenep climbed in first.

Zoey followed.

Then Melody.

I buckled Zoey first.

Closed the door.

Then walked around to Zenep's side.

Stop.

Midnight's growl exploded inside my head.

I froze.

"What?"

Don't go around the car.

Get in through the passenger side. Now.

I didn't question her.

I turned and ran.

The second I climbed through the passenger door—

CRACK!

A deafening blast slammed into the driver's side.

Glass exploded.

People outside screamed.

Parents grabbed their children and ran.

My heart pounded.

I reached into the back and buckled Zenep with shaking hands.

Then I threw myself into the driver's seat.

Perry! I screamed through the mind link.

Holy shit! You actually listened! Perry laughed in disbelief.

I love that!

Perry! Someone's trying to kill me!

Her voice changed instantly.

What? Where are you?

I was picking up the twins!

Don't go back to the pack house.

Come to me.

I'm near the cold building.

Don't stop for anything!

Another shot exploded beside my face.

Then another.

The window shuddered.

My hands shook so badly I could barely unlock my phone.

Valduz answered almost immediately.

"I'm about to get on the plane, Angel."

Before I could answer—

A storm of bullets slammed into the side of the car.

The glass cracked again.

I screamed.

"Valduz!"

"Someone's trying to kill us!"

"The kids are in the car with me!"

His voice turned cold.

Sharp.

Controlled.

"Don't stop, Hope Elara."

"Get out of there."

"Where the fuck is Perry?"

"I'm driving to her now!"

"Pick her up."

"Then go straight to the beach house."

"Do not stop anywhere inside the pack."

A single second of silence followed.

Then his next words made my blood run cold.

"I'm on my way."