Chapter 43
Jina and I were sitting in the office, looking at each other, thinking about our choices.
“We should not bother him with it,” Jina said.
“You cannot hide this forever from him. Imagine if he finds out from somewhere else,” I said,
Footsteps interrupted our conversation, and Jina straightened herself on the sofa as I leaned on the table.
Kevin walked in. He looked at both of us.
“I don’t like this,” he frowned.
“Sit,” I said, and without moving his gaze from us, he sat on the chair opposite the sofa.
I cleared my throat, but it was Jina who started. “You need to be prepared for this.” Jina pulled out her phone and clicked the link. Simply placing it on
the center table–couldn’t we be more delicate? But it was too late.
Kevin looked down at the article, shifting his hands between his knees. Then he raised his head, looking at both of us. A slight pout appeared as he
thought, then he slid the phone toward Jina.
“I know,” he nodded.
We both looked at him, taken aback.
“That’s it?” I said.
“It’s all over the internet. Why wouldn’t I know?”
“Okay,” I sighed. Well, that was… anti–climactic.
“How long have you known?” Jina asked.
“When they found the body, the NYPD registered it as a homicide, but it looked too similar to some high–profile cases. The FBI took over, but they didn’t find anything. As we speak, the case is turning cold, and they won’t find anything. They think it’s the Shadow Knight’s group, but obviously, no one knows why a simple orphanage guardian would be killed. So, they are considering closing it as just another freak accident,” he informed me, like he would in any other situation–like it was just another mission, another target.
“You are well–informed,” I said.
“That’s what we do,” he replied.
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“She is dead. What does it have to do with us now?”
“Well then, if this is it?” he asked.
He stood up and walked away.
“Kevin?” I called out.
“I am good. Just thank Killian for me,” he said, and his small figure disappeared.
His words as he left were more shocking. I looked at Jina.
“That was… cold,” Jina said.
1/4
10:43 Fri, 11 JulGO
Chapter 43
“I don’t know if it is a good thing or a bad thing.”
After I attended my classes, I was back in the bunker. I monitored the situation at the Anderson Mansion. Nothing seemed to have gone wrong yet, but everyone was agitated about Killian Knight not arriving. However, they were too lost in the moment to act. Adeline was positively fuming
The time was set, and we were ready to go. Tong and Misha were on a bike. I was on my Firebolt. The moment we parked in the parking lot, a staff member came.
“Why is there no security here?” Tong asked.
“It wouldn’t be discreet. Do you want everyone to know what we are about to do?” Misha answered.
She introduced herself as Edge and led us in. Everything was the same–j
e–just no blasting music, no flashing lights. Everything was silent.
We were led upstairs to the third floor. There were no rooms, just an open floor. Misha touched the wall.
“This is soundproof,” he said.
I nodded.
There was a long table with matching chairs and a screen in front. Killian was standing at the head of it, his back facing us. Again, a black shirt and pants, his sleeves rolled to his elbows. Two more people stood on either side of him. One I was familiar with–Kate. The other man, I didn’t know.
Our footsteps made a clicking noise on the floor as Killian turned to us. He held a solemn expression, but a fleeting smile passed his lips. I nodded slightly. This was quite a different setting than we had ever met in before.
We stopped at either side of the table.
“Welcome, have a seat. This is Kate, my second–in–command, and this is Sebastian, her deputy,” Killian introduced.
I took a seat calmly. This formal introduction thing…
“This is Misha and Tong,” I said, pointing at them. “This one stalks Christen Meng for a living, and this one knows how to punch.”
Killian fisted his hand, covering his mouth as he coughed. Tong took a seat beside me. Misha stared at me in disbelief.
“Everyone, take a seat,” Sebastian requested once again, politely.,
Misha sat beside me. “We need to work on your introduction tactics,” he said under his breath.
Everyone followed and took their seats.
The plan was simple–brute force, but not on the day itself. Twenty–four hours prior, both our cyber teams would be in connection. I told them everything that needed to be run by Jina. My availability would always be uncertain from now on.
The outlay of the facility owned by Christen Meng was displayed on the screen. Bash explained the plan of action–where the rescue team would move from and how they would pester the security system, Misha and Tong shared their part. They would be right beside Kate and Bash at all times.
I looked at Misha. He agreed with everything. He raised an eyebrow in question, and I nodded. I knew what he was waiting for.
“I just have one request–if Mr. Knight allows me?” Misha said.
Killian’s sharp, dark eyes landed on him.
“If Christen Meng enters the premises and we catch him, he must be handed over to me,” Misha said.
Killian turned to me, I nodded. Then he looked back at him.
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Chapter 43
“Patronus is our priority,” he stated.
“Patronus will always be a priority,” Misha agreed.
October 20, 2024. The date was set. The only thing left to do was wait.
The three of us walked out of the bunker at dusk.
“We will go to headquarters with the guy. I don’t know where it is or what kind of place it is. If I die, promise me revenge,” Misha said with all the seriousness on his face, half–joking.
I smacked my lips, pretending to think carefully. “Misha, I don’t know…” I trailed off.
Misha pressed his lips into a hard line. “It’s Killian Knight, I mean-”
“Oi! I won’t approve if your loyalty wavers.”
“Like I need your approval before dating.”
“I’m the oldest member. Isn’t respecting your elders a thing?”
“I’ve never met an elder I felt like respecting.”
“You’re so mean.”
“Nothing is going to happen to you. You can trust him,” I said, getting serious.
“You trust him?”
I nodded.
“Then that’s good enough,” he nodded.
I was back on the college campus, sending a text to David when a familiar black car once again pulled up in front of me. I looked down, smiling, raising my head when I had it under control.
He stepped out of the car.
“Don’t you have other things to do?” I asked.
“I do. That’s why I’m just here too…” His voice trailed off as he walked toward me, swallowing the distance between us in a few strides.
Before our toes touched, I raised my head to look at him. He took my face between his hands, and the wind picked up again, brushing past between us before he pressed his lips to mine with such fierceness that I rose onto my toes, my other foot lifting into the air as he pulled me into his embrace, kissing me until I forgot my name.
I drew all the warmth I could from him. Only now did’l realize how cold I felt. My hands came around his neck, holding on to him.
We parted breathlessly.
“See you soon,” he whispered, giving me one last glance before getting back into the car.
I watched him drive away again.
Here’s your text with improved grammar, spelling, and flow while keeping everything the same:
3/4
10:43 Fri,
JUI
Chapter 43
I thought it was prudent to follow my routine to the T. Get up, have breakfast, go to college, have David tell Adeline everything–how it was supposed to be. Or rather, how Adeline wanted it to be. I would stay in her sight at all times. The moment Patronus was out of danger, all it would take was a jump from the balcony, and I would be free.
Sounds easy, but I wouldn’t be here if it were that simple.
The moment I stepped foot in Anderson Mansion, Adeline was waiting in the lobby with a sour, twisted expression, fuming. Killian’s prank hadn’t aged
well.
“Is everything alright?” I asked in my best concerned voice–low and demure–clutching my bag strap.
“You’re late again. Where are you off to these days?” Her paranoid expression was familiar. This wasn’t the first time. I’d had a few close encounters like this before. The first time, I had nearly panicked, but I had learned to put on an act, and she had never found anything. She sometimes suspected me, and her only retaliation was…
“How many times have I told you? You have to follow the rules. They’re there for your safety, and you know exactly what I’m talking about, right?” She walked toward me, each step hitting the floor with a sharp click.
I braced myself as she grabbed my wrist, her nails digging into my flesh. I suppressed a flinch as she pulled me upstairs.
Franny came rushing down. “Mom, what are you doing?” Her face was filled with concern.
“Your sister was late again. I think she should stay in her room for the next few days to reflect on herself.”
“Mom, she’s about to be twenty–one, for God’s sake!”
“You, young lady, go back to your room and don’t interrupt me.”
She was on edge and scared. Things weren’t going the way she wanted.
“Mom!” Franny stomped her foot in protest.
As Adeline pulled me up the stairs, I glanced back. “It’s fine, Franny,” I told her before I was pulled out of her sight.
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