Rage and Ruin | 2

5 | 3

J A K E

      The car was quiet on the ride to the ONNT headquarters. I didn't mind. The silence gave me room to think.

I thought about how Hundsen hadn't made any moves since placing the dead body in my room. Granted, I hadn't been home then, but now that I was? I had to be on high alert, day and night. He was planning something, I knew he was. But it was something that he was waiting to unleash, something bad enough that he was willing to wait until the perfect time to reveal it.

But I was ready. I had nothing to lose. He could not take a single thing from me.

And when he did inevitably get his men to take me to him, I'd be prepared to turn it around on him. He'd go into it thinking that I was the victim. But he would always be the prey now that I was the predator.

"What are you thinking about?" Tesla's voice brought me back to reality.

I gave her a quick inquiring look, wondering where exactly she was going with that question. "You just had on that face that you wear when you're angry and wondering how many ways you can gut your opponent," she elaborated with a non-committal gesture of her hand.

"I'm often wondering that very thing."

"Oh, I'm sure. You haven't gotten that murderous reputation for nothing."

       I pulled the car before the gate. An ONNT soldier walked out of the small guard's building and came to the window. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

      "Jake Evans and Delphinium Tesla. We're here to see your boss."

      The guard's eyes widened. Apparently, he knew exactly who we were. I wasn't surprised. He gestured to where the gate was creaking open.

     When we got out of the car, several of Hunt's soldiers flanked us. I wasn't sure if they were to protect us or keep us in check. Either way, they were unneeded. The soldiers led us through the main entrance which was—as usual—full of bustling people hard at work.

      As the two of us were led into the elevator to Hunt's office, I then remembered what I'd been planning ever since meeting with Benny the other day. I knew something that could change everything for us.

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     "Is that all?" Hunt asked, leaning back in his chair.

     "Yes." The assassin remained motionless beside me. "It went smoothly."

     "And the facility?"

     "Completely destroyed. Nothing inside survived."

"Good work."

After a moment's pause, she asked, "What is happening to the groups you sent to take out Imperium's supplies and soldiers?"

Hunt's expression turned grim. "It's not looking good. Half of my men have been killed. However, the ones that are still alive are doing as much as they can to weaken Imperium."

He stood up, planting his palms on the desk. "Well, if that's everything, I suppose I can arrange for your transport back to the compound."

"Not yet," I spoke for the first time. "I need to see Benny again."

Eyes narrowing, the director asked suspiciously, "Why?"

"I believe I finally have something to hold over him."