Snake Eater - THE BRAVO BOYS [book three]

Chapter SIXTY ONE

Logan Nash

...the next day...

Dark clouds encircle the Darkport skyline, painting the light and ominous grey as I climb from the backseat of the cab and cross the sidewalk toward the looming skyscraper that is to become my own personal hell. Supporting my weight on a black-walnut Derby cane, I drag myself through the front doors and into the corporate lobby of Sabre's uptown offices. Each cruel step wears on my barely recovered body, but reminds me of the fact that I am lucky to be on my feet at all.

The medics at SPC had all marvelled at my accelerated recovery, finding it impossible to believe that I could even stand, let alone walk. I had become somewhat of a fascinating subject of study for the team of doctors who had stitched me back together, a burden I am pleased to be free of now that I have been discharged from hospital.

I suppose I have Hendrix Quinn to thank for the Nanosite injection that had been my saving grace. Although I could also argue that without his mad-scientist antics I would never have been shot in the first place.

I guess we'll just have to call it even.

I wish there had been something more I could have done to help the old guy, if only for Shelby's sake. But after everything the FBI had discovered in the seizures of Wyatt Bennings records, the evidence was stacked too slanted against him for even Alistair's pull.

Still, something about it all doesn't sit right with me. Hendrix is a selfish and egotistical bastard, sure, and I'm not exactly the guy's biggest fan. But he had been coerced into doing something against his will to protect somebody he loves. His fate seems like a far worse punishment than the crime.

I can only hope Shelby can forgive the choices I have made this past week, and the one I will make today.

"Hello Mr Nash! Welcome to Sabre Corp!" The perky secretary Cara smiles up at me though two rows of over bleached veneers as she slides a magnetised key card across the front desk. "Mr Sabre is expecting you, they're waiting in conference room one, on the 21st floor."

"Appreciate it, Little Darlin'." Collecting the key before folding it into my pocket, I force a friendly smile. After all, it isn't Cara who orchestrated this mess.

No. This is my reckoning.

I always knew I'd end up back here, under the thumb of another evil dictator. I was programmed for it. As hard as I had fought against the inevitable, somehow I had manifested my own worst nightmare.

"Would you like me to inform your representatives that you have arrived?" She asks politely, her long ruby nails clacking across the keyboard.

"I don't have representatives." I frown.

"Oh. Um." Cara looks between me and her computer screen with a puzzled expression. "A Miss Lennox and Mr Ashton have already checked in for the meeting. I was told they were your lawyers. Has there been some kind of mistake?"

From somewhere in the back of my mind I recall the name of a Darkport law firm by the name of Lennox & Ashton. A firm, that if I am not mistaken, employs the daughter of one Spymaster, Iris Santiago.

"Ah." Feigning recall I palm my forehead in a forgetful gesture. "Of course, my lawyers."

Fucking Iris. I should have known she'd meddle in this mess. Last we'd spoken, she was pretty pissed off at me for bargaining with her chips. Honestly, I'm not so sure she is going to back me by signing over the Blackstar shares I had promised as part of my deal with Alistair. I am not looking forward to finding out what piece of myself I will have to sell as a replacement.