Behind the Mask

Chapter 93

Multiple POVs

Italy: Kota's POV:

"Where is my wife?" Jackson demanded again as he strained against the ropes that held him against a high-back chair.

"I have no idea who you are talking about, Mr. Porter," Leonardo said with a blank expression. "I didn't realize you were married."

Jackson grunted, "You old bastard, you know exactly who I'm talking about! Where the fuck is Marissa? What have you done to her?"

I'd had enough. Stepping from the shadows, I spoke. "You don't have a wife, Jackson. However, my fiancée, Marissa, is just fine - assuming that's whom you are referring to." His eyes went wide, mouth gaping for a few moments before he howled in anger and began thrashing.

"I swear if anything happens to her, so help me, I'll kill each and every one of you! The Academy will destroy you and every person you've ever loved," he raged.

Corey stepped forward and grinned at him wickedly, pulling hard on his jaw. "Your precious Academy won't be doing anything to anyone after today. By this time tomorrow, every dime they have will be gone, assets vanished, and board members mysteriously gone. All. Of. Them." He punctuated the last three words with a hard jerk to Jackson's jaw each time. The man just stared in shock. Corey was often misjudged based on his appearance, much like me. But when someone threatens what we love, we can match Raven and North's rage easily. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a corrupt organization to dismantle," he said and strode out of the room.

"We'll let you and Dominic finish your interrogations," I told Leonardo and followed Corey from the room as Jackson began protesting again. The last thing I heard was a loud slap as I closed the door behind me. "Is everyone in place?" I asked Corey.

"Yes, North and Silas arrived in Athens last night. Your mom and the girls are here now, Victor and Axel are in New York. Owen and Sean are in Japan and Marc and Brandon are in Dublin. Nate is already in Cuba as well. Luke and Gabe are staying with Marissa for now, but can leave for another location if needed. I just want to keep her as far away from all of this as possible." He frowned, "Raven and his father arrived in Russia a short time ago as well.

"Why didn't you travel with Raven? I mean, you can do the tech side from anywhere, why stay?" I asked. I could see the worry rolling off of him.

He stopped mid-step and spun to meet my gaze. "We still have no leads on where Murdoch is. If I leave and he comes here, then I'd never forgive myself." I saw the tears rimming his eyes. "We, I, walked away from her once before, and look at all that happened. I...I can't be away from her anymore. Damn, I freak out just being across the compound from her, Kota." He ran his hand through his hair, groaning. "I failed her. I should have found her, saved her, protected her."

I put my arms around him and pulled him into a tight embrace, "We can't change what happened, Corey, and no one is blaming you. Hell, we're all too busy blaming ourselves to blame each other, but we need to stop. What matters now is that she's here and we need to stop the Academy so they can't hurt her or anyone else ever again." He leaned into me, his body sagging slightly. "She doesn't blame you," I whispered as I gave him a soft kiss. That was all it took for the dam to break as his sobs shook his entire body while I held him.

In all my years of knowing Corey and the entire Toma team, I never would have thought we would become a family. Not like this, not so intertwined and in love with one another on varying levels. Just like my own husbands, Corey's family had become just as precious to me - all of them. Seeing him hurt this way broke me. He had become a source of strength for me as our relationship had grown. The added dynamic of Nate and Raven growing closer drew the four of us into a tighter bond. For as much as I know he wanted to be with Raven, I was glad he was here with me, and I for him.