"Seth, what the hell are you doing here?" I shove from him as I took two steps back surprised by his sudden appearance right before me.
I look around then grab his hand and take him to my room.
"Okay," I shut the door and locked it. "Let me ask again. Seth, what the hell are you doing here?"
He just smiles, that goofy smile of his. "I was in the neighborhood and -"
"Bullshit."
"Alright fine," Seth sigh but kept his smile on just so I can not get angry at him. Hopefully, I can let him off but not this time.
Nope, that cute smile of his I will not let off easily.
"I went on the cruise just to find you," he claims.
"Okay, and why?" crossing my arms as I asked.
"Because...you didn't say goodbye this time," his smile then fade to a frown. "You didn't say goodbye to Effie, to your friends, to me!" Seth brushes his dark hair back and lets out a breath to strain his anger.
I didn't know my leaving would affect him. Surely he knows not only is my job as an assistant to Odin but also to do missions for him. Especially personal missions such as I am on right now because this is not a joke.
"You don't have anything to say?"
I blink at him and look at the ocean through the window.
" I got nothing to say but once we arrive at Barcelona I want you to go back to California," I say with a stern face. I mean it literally.
Seth scoffs almost trying to contain his anger. "Terry, aren't we friends. I know your profession is to do dangerous risk and every time you leave my heart just...I'm always worried about you."
My heart jumps once he said that.
He's worried about me.
I know Effie and the others also worried about me but this feeling of worry from Seth is different.
"Don't be concerned about me, about my safety," I tell him in a harsh tone. It's better to have him hate me than worry about me. "I've done this since I was fourteen. I've killed people. The first person I killed was a pedophile. I know what I am doing and don't need anyone especially you to worry about me."
Seth went silent.
I know he has nothing to say because what I said was for his own good. Telling him I have killed lots of people.
But is he really not going to say anything?
I thought he will keep arguing with me but nothing.
"If you got nothing to say, can you please leave so I can change."
Seth didn't open his mouth so he complies and left my room without saying a word. I saw a glimpse of his sad face. Like a dog who got scolded by his owner and walking away with his ears and tail down. The door close and I let out a sigh. Curious to see that he left my room door. I rush to look through the peephole and gasp.
"What the f-" I see Seth standing in front of a door getting in the room right across from me.
How the hell did he get a room? Especially a room across from me.
This is no coincidence.
Suddenly my phone rang and the name on the screen says 'Boss' I slide the screen and put it in my ear.
"Well, my dear, are you in Barcelona already?" Odin says with a cheerful sound.
"Odin, why?" I sat on the bed and rub my race getting straight to the point.
"Why what?"
I groan. "Don't play innocent here. I know what you did."
"Ah! You mean booking Seth a ticket at the last minute."
"Not only that but also have his room right across mine. Odin are you fucking insane!" To think Odin, my boss, and also my savior to who I owe my life.
Odin not only saved my life but gave me a purpose. I stop trusting people since the day my parents gave up on me. The day we had lost everything and money is needed, they gave me to a relative who would beat me everyday. By the time I was ten I ran away from her and ended up in foster care. At thirteen, that is how I befriended with Effie. I saved her from other kids who was bullying her and she reminded me of her. We became fast friends, I protected her like she's my little sister. She's the first person who I trusted. Then when a couple with a social worker claims they wanted to adopt me I didn't want to leave Effie, but the couple didn't want Effie but me told me I was the perfect age to take me in to their family. I was heartbroken to leave Effie but at the same time relieved that a family wants to adopt me.
But I was wrong.
Dead wrong.
Hugo and that damn woman ruined my life.
Not only that they made me...
"Terry, dear? Are you still there?"
I snap my unforgettable thoughts with those people. "Yeah, I'm here. What were you saying?"
"You were in your thoughts about that day again."
I couldn't hide the fact that I was thinking about my horrible childhood in that house. No, in that prison. Odin knows me and is always worried about me especially concerning my dark past.
"Sorry, I shouldn't be too emotional thinking about that day." I can feel my eyes already watering the just thought of my little girl's face. "I need to stay focus."
"Don't work yourself up because of the past. I know you can't forget everything that has happened to you." Odin says. "I too have a dark past and I couldn't over come it until the day I lost my wife. I thought my profession can give her a good life but Lorraine wasn't like most girls I knew. She wasn't materalistic. She didn't care for expensive jewelry, designer bags, anything exquisite. Lorraine is the type of woman who wants to spend time with the one she loves, read her novels, and attend to her garden. She didn't want a life of luxury, she just want a just a life. And I'm the blame to take that beautiful life of hers."
I can hear the sadness of his voice mentioning his wife. Odin told me everything about her from the day they met to the day she died. Especially, the broken relationship between him and is son as Odin was the blame for Lorraine's death. I remember he told me to look for his son but I had no clues until I met the children of Jacob Reid. Then when he heard that Jacob also has passed away along with his wife.
Odin has lost two most important people in his life but that doesn't make him live in the dark forever. Now his priority are his grandchildren. He will do anything to make up all the things he has done and that is to take care of the Reid siblings.They say a demon will always be a demon but when comes to family he will do anything to protect them.
"I know you are eager to find this woman and I won't stop you in your revenge for what she did but let me ask you this, Terry. Is revenge everything that you hope for? What will accomplish once you elimate her?"
I never thought of that.
I knew right once that woman and her 'husband' took me in to their home. I expect one big happy family. But once I stepped into that house the whole environment changed. They put be in the basement with the other children, locked up and in chains. Boys and Girls were separated. The couple collect children to do their dirty work. The younger boys were used to deliver their special products, while the older ones use their bodies to make money off the streets. As for the girls, they were used for breeding. No matter the age of the girls as long they can carry a child they will be taken care for. Newborn babies are then sold to the black market to be paid by perverts.
I was thirteen when I was pregnant.
Baby girls get paid more than boys, so when my daughter was born I did what any mother would do to keep their child from living the same nightmare.
I...
"Terry!"
I was panting. I didn't realize that I was sweating and trembling. I hug myself for comfort. "I'm sorry, Odin. I was lost in thoughts again."
"You need to control yourself, child," I can hear the concern in Odin's voice over the phone. "Your anxiety will get worst if you keep reacurring those memories."
I wipe the sweat over my head and took a deep breath. I glance the pill bottle sitting on the table. "Don't worry. I can handle it."
"Terry," he sighs. "You are like my own child. I will never make you feel that way. I remember when I first rescued you. Your eyes were souless as if your life left your body. You have been through so much living in that house and being used. I raided the base of child trafficking to find my son but I never would have expected to take you in."
I stay silent listening to him.
"I'm not saying I didn't want you. I'm saying for a fourteen year old child who looked like a doll with no life I felt empathy towards you and makes me want to take you home with me. Honestly, just to replace the lost of my son but you are not a replacement but a new beginning of a purpose to move forward. I love you like my own and I will do everything in my power to get your life back to the way it suppose to be."
I smile and realize tears were already rolling down my cheeks. "Thank you, Odin."
"Okay, I will leave you to your mission but remember what I asked you and think about the answer."
"I will, goodnight."
"Goodnight, my dear."
The call ended and I fall back on the bed then curl my body. A lot of things happened all at once today. Hugo and Sully transporting children to Barcelona for an auction. Seth is here on the same cruise ship, I mean why did he follow me? Was it because I didn't say goodbye to him?
It has been quiet since I told him to leave me alone. And now, my anxiety keeps reacurring each time I think about my past and my daughter's face.
"No!" I close my eyes shut and cover my ears like as did when I was child. Those horrible memories of a thirteen-year-old girl can never forget those things that have hurt me. Closing myself away from this past will never go away unless I face them.
I had gotten myself the following day to grab myself something to eat. I wore casual clothing and men's clothing. Because now Seth is here, I can't let my feminine features set free. I'm back to binding my breast. I groan. I'm not too fond of wearing the binds, but I had no choice. I left my room, and after I closed my door simultaneously, Seth came out from his room across mine. We were both shocked and awkward about what happened yesterday. I felt terrible for yelling at him. "Morning!" He beams a smile. I guess yesterday's argument didn't affect him at all. "Morning," I mumble and start to leave. "Wait, Terry," Seth caught up as he walked side by side. "Are you heading to the dining hall?" "Yes." "Great, let's have breakfast," then he wraps an arm around my shoulders. I fought him off, but he held on tight and dragged me. In the dining, there was a breakfast set up. A buffet with choices of scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes. There are other items in this contemp
The loud blow horn of the ship explodes in my ear as I and all the passengers walk off. As I walk, I never let my eyes off Hugo and Sully. I look down at my watch and flick my finger on the GPS tracker before I drop my arm to the side. "Terry!" my voice booms behind me as I turn my head and body to find Seth beelining his way to me. "Man, there are many people here in a hurry." He breathes. "So, where are we staying at?" He asks as I call out for a cab before I can give him a deadpan expression."We?" I repeated the word."Yeah, we." He smiles, followed by the dimple on the right side of his cheek. I suck in air to keep myself from falling. He and his damn brothers have those dimples that no one can resist. That is why Effie, Lily, Claire, and Thea all ended up with one brother, and the only one is the joker of the bunch. And I'm stuck with him on this trip.Nope, I won't fall into his trap by flashing his smile. I need to concentrate on his mission. A few young girls around the ag
It was hard to control myself with Seth standing by me this whole time. Being alone with him in the elevator was driving me insane. The smell of his cologne filled my nose and created these unknown feelings inside. I couldn't pinpoint what I was feeling when I was with Seth. It is different when I'm around the men in my team. They can make me feel like this mysterious emotion than what Seth can do. I shake my head.Me: Call Ghost and tell him to get his ass over here now!!I command and put my phone down. I brush my hair back and look back at the shoe box. "Hey, Terry," I hear Seth's voice behind me, then a knock on the door. I panic, push the shoe box off the bed, and sit down as if nothing happened. Seth stops and looks at me oddly. "Is everything okay?""Yeah," I shrugged and gave my best smile to assure him not to take a glance at the shoebox on the floor. When he starts to tilt his head to the side. I kick the box further back until it's invisible to see. "Why wouldn't it be?"
I'm going out of my mind and will make Kendall pay for making me wear this uncomfortable dress. Don't get me wrong, it's not tight or anything. I don't particularly appreciate showing my bare shoulder area and cleavage where anyone can see. Also, it has a slit-up leg part as the dress flows elegantly around me.I found a few men looking at me, and I suddenly felt sick."Can you stop fidgeting," Ghost says through his teeth.Once we arrived at the auction house, it was in a private lot owned by The Order. Before entering, he handed me a masquerade mask as the invite suggested to keep the buyers anonymous. Although the auction was only a way to attract the rich, displaying rare antiques for the show, the real one is beneath the lot. To enter such a secret auction, you need a stamp of their sigil - a crow.Crows are said to be known for their clairvoyance and foresight. But the crow being used in the Order has a deeper meaning. Because they are considered wise, they are also known to br
I washed my hands, scrubbing off the imaginary dirt from how I was feeling on Hugo. Just the thought of a stranger made a twist in my stomach.It takes work for me to get used to men touching me. The men in my team had to avoid physical contact before I could claim they weren't a threat. I had to build trust in myself than in them.Now that I'm here in the restroom, it's time. I have to get rid of the guard to continue my search. I glance down at my watch with the red dot still blinking."It's below," I mumble. Is there another basement? I was scanning around this large fancy marble restroom with bright ass lights. I find an air vent at the end of the aisle of bathroom stalls.Crouching in front of it, I pull out my tools from my purse, and with a mini-screwdriver, I unscrew the nails. With the last screw, a loud bang made my head turn."Hey, are you done in there?" Robert yells on the other side of the door, making his voice bounce off the restroom walls.Shit!Putting my tool back
Scanning the dark surroundings, I can feel a movement in the corner. I slowly take each step.In the corner, I flash my light, curl up, and hide its face. I lean closer. A little girl reveals to me. She has dirt all over herself that I can't tell. The only thing I could tell was her eyes. They flash rich hazel color. She huddles herself, scared.I lower my gun and put it back in its holster, "Hey," I say quietly, not to scare her off. "I'm not here to hurt you.""W-who...who are you?" She asks, with a stutter. She's terrified."I'm someone who will get you out of here." I reach for her, but she pulls herself back."No!" She whispers, screaming. "If Mama Eva knows I'm gone, she will hurt me. She will hurt the others."She's talking about the other children that were brought here. Luckily, I'm not worried since Ghost is doing his job on the other end.I pull up a small smile. "Don't worry, a friend of mine will save them.""But...but..." she looks away and hugs her legs tight. "Mama Eva
I can hear the Order men closing in, and if they see one of their comrades dead and the other passed out, this whole side quest operation will end."O-okay," she whispers, and just as she takes my hand, footsteps are heard above us.I pulled Persephone behind me, pulled my gun out from my holster, and hid under the stairs."What the fuck?" An Order man shouts. "Who the fuck did this?"Heavy shoes creak the wooden floor above us as they survey the scene. While they are up there, I planned to get the both of us out alive. Fragile hands held onto my dress tight. I look down at Persephone with her eyes closed and her body shaking. It must be scary for her to trust a stranger like me to get her out. But I had no choice but to take it with me. I hold her with my free arm."Shit, check the perimeter. This fucker didn't get too far." says Order men one ordered. "Nestor, check the girl.""Man, why must I check the brat?" complains Nester."Just do it," says Order Man one and snaps at Nestor. "
"Are you just going to sit there and sulk all day?" I say to the oversized kid sitting across the room, glaring at me, and I can't help but laugh in my head.Since we arrived in Los Angeles, staying in one of Odin's summer homes, I had to put an innocent act in front of Seth. I had to change from the bloody dress I had worn, remove all my makeup, and it's right back to an XL T-shirt and sweats.Persephone looked at me oddly when she first witnessed me binding my chest. I had to inform her it's part of a persona of mine, and it needs to be kept a secret.The following day, after one of Odin's family doctors came to check on me, I read through the reports from Kendall. Seth came busting in like there was a fire, and he gave one look at me, and all hell went loose.He kept wailing and screaming about how stupid and reckless I was to go on a mission alone. Of course, it was my duty, and I also had some teammates with me. Seth had taken his eyes off me and glared at Ghost and Gunner. They