Chapter 59 *
Scarlett's POV
I collapsed onto my bed the second I got back to the room.
Today had been exhausting. Viviana. Kalliope. Four idiots in a parking garage.
I needed to tie up loose ends before Damon home.
I walked over to my desk. Opened my laptop.
Typed in a series of passwords. Each one more complex than the last.
The screen flickered. Went black.
Then a new interface appeared.
Dark background. Blood-red text. A single logo in the center.
THE BROKER
Underneath: Blood Credit Exchange System
I logged in.
My account information loaded immediately.
Active Status: Retired
Current Balance: 847 Credits
Not bad. Most operatives never broke 500 in their entire careers.
I clicked through to the exchange marketplace.
The categories were simple:
Medical Resources
Identity & Protection
Intelligence & Files
Political/Legal Assistance
Weapons & Equipment
Emergency Extraction
I selected Medical Resources.
Scrolled down to the government-controlled section.
There it was.
Bethesda Advanced Medical Research Facility
Access Level: Classified
Required Credits: 200
Expensive. But worth it.
I clicked on the application form. Started filling it out.
Patient Name: Adrian Santoro
Condition: Spinal cord injury with severe necrosis
Requested Treatment: Experimental regenerative protein therapy
Background Check Required: Yes
I attached the Santoro family files I'd already compiled.
Hit submit.
The system processed for about thirty seconds.
Then a green checkmark appeared.
APPLICATION APPROVED
Admission Authorized
Military Medical Transport will contact patient within 48 hours
Done.
One gold coin debt paid.
I leaned back in my chair. Closed my eyes for a second.
My satellite phone started vibrating.
Incoming video call.
The caller ID just said: Flint.
Oh God. Icarus.
I stood up. Walked over to the window.
Pulled the curtains closed. Made sure they were completely shut.
Then I positioned myself in front of the plain fabric. No way anyone could identify where I was from the background.
I answered the call.
Icarus's face filled the screen immediately.
He looked exactly the same as always. Brown hair. Green eyes. That stupid cocky grin.
He was leaning back in an office chair somewhere. Boots propped up on a desk. White shirt unbuttoned at the top. Sleeves rolled up.
"Well, well, well." His grin got wider. "If it isn't my favorite former partner."
"Icarus."
"You look good, Scarlett. Domestic life suits you."
I rolled my eyes. "What do you want?"
"Can't I just call to say hi?"
"You never just call to say hi."
"Fair point." He took a sip from a coffee mug. "I saw your application come through the system. Adrian Santoro."
"And?"
"And I'm confused." He set down the mug. "You told me you got married. Your husband is this guy?"
He held up a tablet. Adrian's file was pulled up on the screen.
"Husband and fiancé are two different things. I'm already married."
Icarus choked on his coffee. Actually choked.
"Wait. What?"
"I'm married. To someone else. Adrian is the arranged match my former family set up."
"Jesus Christ, Scarlett." He coughed. Wiped his mouth. "You're playing this real complicated."
"It's not complicated. My husband is my choice. Adrian is family obligation. He got hurt. I'm settling the debt."
"You're using credits to get him treatment?" Icarus whistled. "That's one hell of a debt repayment. So who's the husband?"
"None of your business."
"Come on! You can't just drop that bomb and not give me details!"
"Watch me."
He groaned dramatically. "This is bullshit. Everyone's getting married and nobody tells me anything."
"Everyone?"
"Yeah. You. Thompson got married last year. Even Rodriguez is engaged now."
I almost smiled. "The whole team's settling down."
"Except me." He looked genuinely annoyed. "I'm the last single person left and nobody invites me to anything."
"Maybe because you're insufferable."
"I'm delightful."
"You're a pain in the ass."
"Same thing."
I shook my head. This was why I'd missed him.
Icarus leaned forward suddenly. His expression changed. Got more serious.
"Hey. Did you hear about Ronin?"
My body went completely still.
"What about him?"
"He got married."
I choked on air.
Started coughing violently. My eyes watered.
"You okay?" Icarus looked concerned.
"Fine." I managed to get out between coughs. "Just... surprised."
"Right? Ronin. Married. I didn't think that psychopath was even capable of human emotion."
My chest felt tight.
"How do you know?"
"I was at headquarters last week. Overheard a classified briefing." He grinned. Clearly proud of himself for eavesdropping. "They were discussing his new security protocols. Mentioned his wife in passing."
Ronin. Married. The most ruthless killer. The guy who once eliminated an entire convoy without breaking a sweat.
"I barely worked with him," I said carefully. "Never even saw his face. But every joint operation was hell."
"Same." Icarus shuddered. "Guy's a machine. Zero mercy. Perfect mission record. But also zero humanity."
"Exactly." I felt my voice getting colder. "That kind of cold-blooded bastard... whoever married him is in for a nightmare."
"Oh, she's definitely dead inside by now." Icarus laughed. "Can you imagine? Coming home to that every day?"
"She's probably not much better," I said flatly. "Anyone who'd marry him can't be normal either."
"True. Takes a monster to love a monster."
My ears suddenly felt hot.
I touched my earlobe. It was burning.
What the hell?