Everyone Can Be Bought

(16) Hire R Us

Axel went more in detail about Monster's business. He runs small companies to big companies and they all do different things. It's sort of like a monopoly but not.

"So he's making loads more money than we thought he was." Valentine says quietly looking into Pierce's narrowed eyes. I know what he's thinking ; we're connected like that. He's thinking of his mom. Taking down Monster has been my main priority but his is to save his mom. He needs to make his father penniless and taking down Monster is just a stepping stone.

Monster has more money than anyone can count.

Monster controls pratically anything imaginable.

He's right. I'll never be able to get away from him. He's everywhere. He probably has people all over keeping tabs on me. Thinking this I go pale. I've never been free even when I thought I might have had an inch of freedom. Oh my cheese its!

"Rin?" All eyes are on me. I'm being selfish I should be worried about Pierce, his mom is the one on a time limit. My life doesn't matter right now. It shouldn't matter right now.

"There's more." Axel pauses waiting for my eyes to lock with his. "Your dad rents people out."

"What?" I ask clearly bewildered.

"Okay, time for the truth. I'm Axel Delgado the son of-"

"Frank and Darla Delgado." Zane hisses their names.

"Yes, Mr. Winters has a new partner and it's my parents company. We scout people for him." Axel explains.

"What do you mean?" Dex asks intriqued.

"My family finds certain people that fit the skill that Winters is looking for. They send the people they find over to Winters and he rents them out to other people."

"I don't get it." Killer states voicing everyone's thoughts.

"For example, my dad finds someone who has a certain skill, he confronts them and sends them over to Winters. When some company needs a person to fill a missing employees spot they call Winters and he sends someone with that skill over. The worker gets paid by the boss and the boss pays Winters for letting them use that person. He literally hires people out."

"So that's bad?" Q questions.

"It's a good idea but then he doesn't just stop with innocent paying jobs. He'll hire out strippers, prostitutes, drug dealers and sometimes spys. He puts people in certain places and gets a profit in return."

"He wants ultimate control over everyone and everything." I spit disgusted by my own flesh and blood.

"He doesn't do anything against the people's will but it's still illegal." Axel sighs rubbing his temples.

"This is a lot to process." I say under my breath. I'm so angry and upset. I hate him I hate him so much! Zane places his hand on the middle of my back. The gesture is kind and I smile pitifully at his gorgious features. I don't deserve a fake boyfriend like him.

"Okay, enough with the tension in the air!" I pop out of my chair. "We can still take him down I admit it's going to prove more challenging than we orginally thought but we can still do it. Zane did you have something to say? You came here for a reason, yes?" I smile widely at everyone if I show them I'm upset they'll feel worse.

"I do but it's more of a private matter. Rin, I need to talk to you alone."

"Alrighty! Everyone out, be gone!" I motion them away with my hands but they don't move. "Please?" I ask politely and they slowly rise. "We'll figure a game plan out later."

"Have fun with your boyfriend." Killer teases. She's just jealous that I have a hot fake boyfriend and she has an okay looking real fiance. Doesn't make sense does it? That's Killer for you. She flips her straight blond hair in A.J.'s face before skipping away. Axel stomps out of the room without looking at me, great. The door is shut and we're all alone. Zane doesn't look at me and keeps his eyes focused on the floor. He's trying to say something important but doesn't know how to put it into words.

"I found him." Zane's sentence leaves me shocked.

"No Zane. I told you not to look anymore. I don't want to know."

"Trinity." He trails his finger tips over both my arms. He uses my name on rare occasions; when he's serious about something. "You need to listen to me okay? You need to hear this."

"Is he okay?" I whisper tears stinging my eyes.

"If he was do you think we'd be having this conversation? If he was living the high life with a couple babes on his arms I wouldn't tell you. For your sake but he isn't-" Zane swallows. "He's dying Trinity."

"Nike?" I gasp. Don't let the tears drop...too late. "Wait, so, what's wrong with him?"

"He has a rare disease that not many people know. He's in a magnificent hospital but they think there's nothing more they can do for him. He wants to meet with you before it's too late." I back away from Zane's arms.

"No!" I hiss at him. "No way not now not ever!" I'm bawling now, thank goodness Zane asked to speak in private this would be embarrassing for everyone to see.

"Trinity he had his reasons for leaving you! I would tell you them but he wants to tell you himself! Stop acting like a child."

"A child!?!" I scoff. "Zane, does a child worry about taking down their abusive father? Does a child create a team and take care of them by herself? Does a child-" my voice cracks and I fall into the nearest chair next to me.

"I didn't mean it like that. You're acting like a kid by not wanting to listen to people. It's your job as a leader to listen to everyone and their opinions but when it comes to your love-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence." I growl.

"Love life." Zane smirks he's trying to get under my skin. "Let him explain Trinity. You both need closure. His dying wish is to see you and explain."

"You don't understand Zane; I can't see him. Not like this I'm so angry and upset. He's not a part of my life anymore!" I scream.

"But you still love him."

If I was thinking straight I would have calmed myself down and not cried. I would have had an intellectual conversation with Zane. I would have made him understand that I can't bring Nike back in my life for a second just to watch him die. And I couldn't clearly explain to Zane that I didn't love Nike anymore. I just couldn't after what he did to me. I mean, sure I do think about him a lot but...but I don't love him!

But I didn't do any of those things.

I grabbed a paperweight that was sitting on the round table. I threw it at Zane's head. I didn't throw it hard but it was made of glass so it hurt and from his reaction it hurt A LOT! The paperweight shattered when it hit the ground and then to add to it all I threw a chair at him. To say the least he was REALLY mad. He lunged at me and I jumped on the table. Unfortunately I'm a klutz so I lost my footing and fell off the table. Can you guess what happened after that? Yep, we both woke up in the infirmary. Thank goodness for Valentine.